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| House blaze deaths investigated | House blaze deaths investigated |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Post mortem examinations are to be carried out on three members of the same family who were killed in a house fire in north Belfast. | Post mortem examinations are to be carried out on three members of the same family who were killed in a house fire in north Belfast. |
| The blaze broke out at a bungalow in Edenbrook Close, in the Shankill area. | The blaze broke out at a bungalow in Edenbrook Close, in the Shankill area. |
| A woman in her 80s, her son, who was in his late 30s, and her three-year-old grandson were found dead in the house at about 1300 GMT on Monday. | A woman in her 80s, her son, who was in his late 30s, and her three-year-old grandson were found dead in the house at about 1300 GMT on Monday. |
| They have been named locally as Helen McCoubrey, John Bothwell and Madison Bothwell. | |
| The Fire and Rescue Service said that the family appeared to have died from smoke inhalation. | The Fire and Rescue Service said that the family appeared to have died from smoke inhalation. |
| Lennie Entwhistle from service said it was an awful scene. | Lennie Entwhistle from service said it was an awful scene. |
| "It was an unusual fire in that it had self-extinguished at some stage during the night," he said. | "It was an unusual fire in that it had self-extinguished at some stage during the night," he said. |
| "The actual fire damage was moderate in comparison to the smoke damage. The smoke damage was extensive in that building." | "The actual fire damage was moderate in comparison to the smoke damage. The smoke damage was extensive in that building." |
| A smoke alarm was fitted at the house but it is not yet known if it was working. | A smoke alarm was fitted at the house but it is not yet known if it was working. |
| Police said early indications were that it was an accidental fire. | Police said early indications were that it was an accidental fire. |
| Superintendent Gary White of the PSNI said: "We don't at this stage suspect that there was anything suspicious about this, but clearly it is the early stages of the investigation. | Superintendent Gary White of the PSNI said: "We don't at this stage suspect that there was anything suspicious about this, but clearly it is the early stages of the investigation. |
| "We'll carry out a very thorough examination of the house including bringing in forensic experts to ensure that all bases are covered. | "We'll carry out a very thorough examination of the house including bringing in forensic experts to ensure that all bases are covered. |
| Three generations of one family is a tragedy, so we will do all we can in terms of trying to support them Superintendent Gary White | Three generations of one family is a tragedy, so we will do all we can in terms of trying to support them Superintendent Gary White |
| "The early indications are that this was a very, very tragic accident." | "The early indications are that this was a very, very tragic accident." |
| He said the whole community was devastated and appealed for anyone with information to come forward. | He said the whole community was devastated and appealed for anyone with information to come forward. |
| "Three generations of one family is a tragedy, so we will do all we can in terms of trying to support the family," he said. | "Three generations of one family is a tragedy, so we will do all we can in terms of trying to support the family," he said. |
| Democratic Unionist North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said it was a terrible tragedy. | Democratic Unionist North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said it was a terrible tragedy. |
| "Our thoughts are entirely with the family of those who have lost their lives and with the community in Edenbrook Close at this time," he said. | "Our thoughts are entirely with the family of those who have lost their lives and with the community in Edenbrook Close at this time," he said. |
| "It is an appalling and awful tragedy to occur." | "It is an appalling and awful tragedy to occur." |
| Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain said the community was stunned. | Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain said the community was stunned. |
| "People are in a state of shock about what has happened," he said. | "People are in a state of shock about what has happened," he said. |
| "It is a terrible, terrible incident." | "It is a terrible, terrible incident." |
| The three bodies were taken from the scene | The three bodies were taken from the scene |
| SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said he was saddened by the news. | SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said he was saddened by the news. |
| "News that three members of one family have died following this house fire comes with a great sense of shock and deep sadness to the entire community," he said. | "News that three members of one family have died following this house fire comes with a great sense of shock and deep sadness to the entire community," he said. |
| PUP councillor Hugh Smyth said: "The people of the Shankill Road are absolutely stunned by the tragic news of what seems to be a terrible accident. | PUP councillor Hugh Smyth said: "The people of the Shankill Road are absolutely stunned by the tragic news of what seems to be a terrible accident. |
| "Naturally the people offer their condolences to those left behind to pick up the pieces of this awful tragedy." | "Naturally the people offer their condolences to those left behind to pick up the pieces of this awful tragedy." |