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People mourn house fire tragedy | People mourn house fire tragedy |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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 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. |
Three-year-old Madison Bothwell died in the blaze along with his father John and his grandmother Helen McCoubrey. | Three-year-old Madison Bothwell died in the blaze along with his father John and his grandmother Helen McCoubrey. |
The blaze broke out at the family home in Edenbrook Close on Monday afternoon. | The blaze broke out at the family home in Edenbrook Close on Monday afternoon. |
Staff at the Hobby Horse playgroup in the lower Shankill, where Madison attended, said they were devastated at the news of his death. | 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." | Playgroup assistant Elizabeth Murphy said: "He was just so loveable, it was hard not to like him. We were just so shocked and devastated." |
Post mortem examinations are being carried out on the victims. | |
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 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." |