Northern Ireland

Derrylin fire: Process of identifying fire victims 'long and complex'

The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three generations of the same family, including a baby and two teenagers, were killed. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three generations of the same family, including a baby and two teenagers, were killed. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three generations of the same family, including a baby and two teenagers, were killed. Picture by Mal McCann
By Suzanne McGonagle

POLICE last night said the process of officially identifying the four victims of a ferocious house fire in Co Fermanagh is "long and complex".

Three weeks after three generations of the same family perished in the blaze in Derrylin, police are continuing to "definitively" identify those who died.

Police have yet to release the names of the four victims who lost their lives in the fire in Molly Road on February 27.

A woman, two teenagers - believed to be her son and daughter - and a baby understood to be her grand-daughter all died in the fire which ripped through the remote house.

The bodies of the four victims were removed from the scene two days after the blaze at the property they had been renting for around a year.

While the family have been named locally, the PSNI have still not publicly released their identities.

In a statement, PSNI Detective Inspector Peter McKenna said: "Police continue to work with HM Coroner to definitively establish the identities of all of the victims of this tragic incident.

"The process is long and complex."

It is understood a police cordon around the home was lifted last week after forensics experts finished their investigations at the scene.

Diane Gossett is believed to have died in the blaze at Molly Road, Derrylin
Diane Gossett is believed to have died in the blaze at Molly Road, Derrylin Diane Gossett is believed to have died in the blaze at Molly Road, Derrylin

New pictures published last week reveal the shocking aftermath of the fire, showing the property reduced to a shell. Dolls, children's toys and books are among the family's belongings still lying in the rubble.

The family rented the house from landlord Tommy Fee, who was among neighbours who battled in vain to save the family.

He named the tenants as Crystal Gossett, her son Edward (16), daughter Diane (19) and grand-daughter, believed to be under the age of two.

It has been reported that the victims also used different names, including the surname Quinn. They were believed to be originally from Doncaster in England and had lived in Tralee in Co Kerry before moving to Derrylin more than a year ago.

Daniel Allen (27), of Molly Road, Enniskillen, has appeared in court charged with the murders.

During his brief court appearance, Allen was also charged with arson.

Dolls, children's toys and books are among the family's belongings still lying in the rubble. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/ Photopress
Dolls, children's toys and books are among the family's belongings still lying in the rubble. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/ Photopress Dolls, children's toys and books are among the family's belongings still lying in the rubble. Picture by Justin Kernoghan/ Photopress