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Dad suspect in home fire deaths Father is suspect in blaze deaths
(30 minutes later)
Police are treating Arthur McElhill as a suspect in the fire that killed his partner and five children in Omagh.Police are treating Arthur McElhill as a suspect in the fire that killed his partner and five children in Omagh.
He died with his partner, Lorraine McGovern, and their children, Caroline, Sean, Bellina, Clodagh and James in a fire at Lammy Crescent on Tuesday.He died with his partner, Lorraine McGovern, and their children, Caroline, Sean, Bellina, Clodagh and James in a fire at Lammy Crescent on Tuesday.
Petrol had been scattered around the house and it had been set alight.Petrol had been scattered around the house and it had been set alight.
The bodies of the family of seven are expected to be removed from the ruins of their home later and forensic examinations of the scene continue.The bodies of the family of seven are expected to be removed from the ruins of their home later and forensic examinations of the scene continue.
Police said on Thursday that all seven deaths were being treated as murder and they would not be commenting on the specifics of the investigation.Police said on Thursday that all seven deaths were being treated as murder and they would not be commenting on the specifics of the investigation.
Further forensic tests at the house are due to be carried out.
Community worker Gerry McCusker said this would be a difficult day.Community worker Gerry McCusker said this would be a difficult day.
"When the bodies are being removed, it is hoped that we will pay a prayer tribute to the family," he said."When the bodies are being removed, it is hoped that we will pay a prayer tribute to the family," he said.
A senior fire investigator is being flown in from England to assist with the investigation.
Mr McElhill was a farmer from Ederney.
The eldest of the five children, Caroline, 13, attended the nearby Sacred Heart College.The eldest of the five children, Caroline, 13, attended the nearby Sacred Heart College.
Sean, 7, and Bellina, 4, were pupils at St Conor's Primary School and the two youngest were Clodagh, 19 months, and James, who was nine months old.Sean, 7, and Bellina, 4, were pupils at St Conor's Primary School and the two youngest were Clodagh, 19 months, and James, who was nine months old.
Farm work
Mr McElhill worked as a stockman for James Crammond, who owns a farm just off the Dublin Road on the outskirts of Omagh.
"I would be totally amazed if they suspected Arthur," Mr Crammond said.
"He spent a lot of time looking after his family, some of them were not very well, heart murmurs, child problems.
"They seemed fairly close. He worked for me for five to six years when he was fit. He was a very capable worker when he was fit."