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Fire teen 'tried to save family' | Fire teen 'tried to save family' |
(20 minutes later) | |
A girl killed in a fire which claimed the lives of her family tried to call the emergency services just before the house went up in flames. | A girl killed in a fire which claimed the lives of her family tried to call the emergency services just before the house went up in flames. |
Police said the body of Caroline McElhill, 13, was found with a phone in one hand and rosary beads in the other. | Police said the body of Caroline McElhill, 13, was found with a phone in one hand and rosary beads in the other. |
The teenager is to be nominated for a posthumous award for her courage. | The teenager is to be nominated for a posthumous award for her courage. |
Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children died in the blaze at the house on Lammy Crescent in Omagh, County Tyrone, on 13 November. | Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children died in the blaze at the house on Lammy Crescent in Omagh, County Tyrone, on 13 November. |
Police investigating the blaze said the fire was started at the base of the stairs. | Police investigating the blaze said the fire was started at the base of the stairs. |
Caroline's siblings - Bellina, four, Clodagh 18 months, Sean, seven, and James, nine months old, also died. | |
Detectives said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation. | Detectives said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation. |
They said the fire could not have been ignited from a source external to the house. | They said the fire could not have been ignited from a source external to the house. |
Even though Mr McElhill is believed to have started the fire in the early hours, police have not named him as a suspect. | Even though Mr McElhill is believed to have started the fire in the early hours, police have not named him as a suspect. |
'Bravery' | 'Bravery' |
Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, who heads up the PSNI's serious crime branch said in a statement: "One image may bring some comfort to the wider family circle. | Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, who heads up the PSNI's serious crime branch said in a statement: "One image may bring some comfort to the wider family circle. |
"At 4.54am on November 13, a 999 call was made to the Fire and Rescue Service from within 4 Lammy Crescent. | "At 4.54am on November 13, a 999 call was made to the Fire and Rescue Service from within 4 Lammy Crescent. |
"The investigation team have established that Caroline, at 13 years of age, had the presence of mind and bravery to seek help from the emergency services to save her family. | "The investigation team have established that Caroline, at 13 years of age, had the presence of mind and bravery to seek help from the emergency services to save her family. |
"Caroline was recovered with her telephone in one hand and her rosary beads in her other hand. | "Caroline was recovered with her telephone in one hand and her rosary beads in her other hand. |
"This was a young girl, an emblem of innocence, with the courage to seek help and turning to her faith in the midst of fear and danger." | "This was a young girl, an emblem of innocence, with the courage to seek help and turning to her faith in the midst of fear and danger." |
He added: "It is my intention at the appropriate time to acknowledge Caroline's actions in seeking help for her family by nominating her for a posthumous award in recognition of her courage." | He added: "It is my intention at the appropriate time to acknowledge Caroline's actions in seeking help for her family by nominating her for a posthumous award in recognition of her courage." |
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