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House blaze deaths investigated People mourn house fire tragedy
(about 7 hours 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. The tight-knit Shankill community in north Belfast is mourning the loss of three members of the same family who were killed in a house fire.
The blaze broke out at a bungalow in Edenbrook Close, in the Shankill area. Three-year-old Madison Bothwell died in the blaze along with his father John and his grandmother Helen McCoubrey.
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. The blaze broke out at the family home in Edenbrook Close on Monday afternoon.
They have been named locally as Helen McCoubrey, John Bothwell and Madison Bothwell. Staff at the Hobby Horse playgroup in the lower Shankill, where Madison attended, said they were devastated at the news of his death.
Playgroup assistant Elizabeth Murphy said: "He was just so loveable, it was hard not to like him. We were just so shocked and devastated."
The Fire and Rescue Service said the family appeared to have died from smoke inhalation.
Post mortem examinations are to be carried out on the victims later on Tuesday.
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 the service said it was an awful scene.Lennie Entwhistle from the 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 WhiteThree 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 sceneThe 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."