Two men have died in a fire in Co. Cork overnight.

The blaze broke out at an apartment in Mallow shortly after midnight.

Two other people were rescued from the burning building.

The fire broke out at the apartment in Granary Court on St. Joseph's Road in Mallow at around 12.10am.

Gardai who rushed to the scene rescued a man and a woman from inside and attempted to re-enter the building, but were unable to because of the smoke and flames.

Units of Mallow Fire Brigade fought the blaze bringing the fire under control - while HSE emergency personnel and gardai from Mallow also attended at the scene.

Two men, one 37 - the other 36, died in the fire while another man and woman were taken to Cork University Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies have been removed to Cork University Hospital.

It is understood that one of the dead men is from Dublin and the other is from Mallow but it isn't clear if they were living in the apartment or visiting it for a party.

Gardaí are due to carry out a technical examination to establish the cause of the blaze, but they are not believed to view the fire as suspicious.