A man is in a serious condition following a fire at a house in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The blaze broke out at a house in the Willow Park area at around 2.30am.
One man was taken to St James's Hospital in Dublin with serious injuries.
Three others were taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore for treatment.
It is understood gardaí are treating the blaze as an accident.
Separately, at around the same time, fire services attended a blaze at a house in the Monksland area of Athlone.
All who were in the house at the time escaped unharmed, but the property was significantly damaged.
Gardaí said they are treating the fire as an "incident of criminal damage", and investigations are under way.
No arrests have been made.
