Northern Ireland

Derrylin house fire: Number of victims not yet known

At least three people have died in ahouse fire in Derrylin, County Fermanagh
At least three people have died in ahouse fire in Derrylin, County Fermanagh At least three people have died in ahouse fire in Derrylin, County Fermanagh

THE number of victims of a "ferocious" house fire in Derrylin is not yet known with reports of a fourth person having been in the bungalow, police have said.

At least three people died in the blaze in the early hours of yesterday morning and a 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene on Molly Road on suspicion of murder. He remains under police guard in hospital.

Detective Inspector Peter McKenna said the "ferocious" fire had left a "very complex crime scene" which had been made worse by the weather. He also appealed for anyone who knew the family living at the property to contact detectives.

"...We have specialist search and rescue teams working hard to try and identify those who died. I am aware of local information about a family living in this property and reports of a fourth victim. At this stage we are still working intensively to establish how many victims were involved in this appalling incident.

“This will take a number of days due to the structural damage caused by the fire which is further compounded by the severe weather that is forecast. The specialist officers will ensure that the bodies of all persons identified are recovered in a dignified manner. Post mortem examinations will then follow and this will assist me in confirming the identity of the victims."

DI McKenna thanked the public for its help and appealed  for anyone who knew the residents of 57 Molly Road, Doon, to contact police. The blaze was reported to the emergency services at around 7.10am yesterday.

"I would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Molly Road between the hours of midnight on Monday through to 7.20am on Tuesday morning. Please contact detectives in Enniskillen on 101 or alternatively to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The victims are believed to be members of one family and originally from Doncaster in England. It is thought they had moved to Co Fermanagh recently after living for a time in Tralee.