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Bodies found in family house fire Five bodies found at house fire
(about 1 hour later)
A number of bodies have been found in the debris of a house in County Tyrone which was destroyed in a fire. Five bodies have been found in the debris of a house in County Tyrone which was destroyed in a fire.
It is feared that a couple and their five children were killed in the blaze at the end-terraced house at Lammy Crescent in Omagh. A couple and their five children lived in the end-terraced property at Lammy Crescent in Omagh.
None of the remains have been removed from the scene and the number of bodies found has not yet been confirmed. Deputy chief fire officer Louis Jones said the bodies were discovered in an upstairs bedroom. None of the remains have been removed from the scene.
Deputy chief fire officer Louis Jones said it was largest loss of life in any house fire he had attended in 30 years. "There are two further persons unaccounted for at this stage and our investigations are ongoing," he said.
He said the search had been scaled down until Wednesday morning on the advice of the police.
"In my 30 years of service, it has to be the largest loss of life in any house fire I have attended," he added.
The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
The fire service arrived at the property at about 0500 GMT on Tuesday.The fire service arrived at the property at about 0500 GMT on Tuesday.
Earlier, neighbours had put ladders up to first floor bedrooms, but were beaten back by the flames.Earlier, neighbours had put ladders up to first floor bedrooms, but were beaten back by the flames.
Firefighters with breathing apparatus were also beaten back by the flames.Firefighters with breathing apparatus were also beaten back by the flames.
It is understood the property was already well-alight when firefighters arrived.It is understood the property was already well-alight when firefighters arrived.
InvestigationInvestigation
The fire was so intense that the roof collapsed. It is believed the children feared dead range in age from an infant to a 13-year-old.The fire was so intense that the roof collapsed. It is believed the children feared dead range in age from an infant to a 13-year-old.
Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter said police were investigating the cause of the blaze.Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter said police were investigating the cause of the blaze.
"It is very early in the investigation and we will be looking at a range of issues, including the period leading up to the fire," he said."It is very early in the investigation and we will be looking at a range of issues, including the period leading up to the fire," he said.
Parish priest Monsignor Joseph Donnelly said there was "disbelief and shock" in the community.Parish priest Monsignor Joseph Donnelly said there was "disbelief and shock" in the community.
"It's hard to come to terms with the tragedy, that a family that was alive and well this time yesterday is gone," he said."It's hard to come to terms with the tragedy, that a family that was alive and well this time yesterday is gone," he said.
Local councillor Paddy McGowan - a former firefighter - said it was "one of the worst tragedies" he had ever seen.Local councillor Paddy McGowan - a former firefighter - said it was "one of the worst tragedies" he had ever seen.
Pupils from St Conor's Primary School laid flowers at the housePupils from St Conor's Primary School laid flowers at the house
Mr McGowan said the family had lived there for about four years.Mr McGowan said the family had lived there for about four years.
Red Cross emergency support volunteers have been at the scene, comforting neighbours and traumatised firefighters.Red Cross emergency support volunteers have been at the scene, comforting neighbours and traumatised firefighters.
St Conor's Primary School near the house has been closed following the tragedy. Two of the children from the family feared dead went to the school.St Conor's Primary School near the house has been closed following the tragedy. Two of the children from the family feared dead went to the school.
The eldest girl, aged 13, went to a secondary school in the town while two other children were under school-age. The eldest girl, aged 13, went to a secondary school in the town while two other children were under school age.
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and first and deputy first ministers Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have expressed sympathy with the people of Omagh.Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and first and deputy first ministers Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have expressed sympathy with the people of Omagh.
The Irish prime minister, Bertie Ahern, said the deaths were "truly heart-breaking".The Irish prime minister, Bertie Ahern, said the deaths were "truly heart-breaking".
"My thoughts and prayers and those of my colleagues are with relatives and friends at this sad time," he added."My thoughts and prayers and those of my colleagues are with relatives and friends at this sad time," he added.