Northern Ireland

Fermanagh house fire victim remembered as a 'true gentleman'

 Enniskillen fire victim has been named locally as Ben Donnelly
 Enniskillen fire victim has been named locally as Ben Donnelly  Enniskillen fire victim has been named locally as Ben Donnelly

AN elderly widower who died in a Christmas house fire has been remembered as a "true gentleman".

Ben Donnelly, who was in his eighties, died after a blaze broke out at his home in the Braeside Park area of Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

The tragedy happened on Christmas Eve. The fire was reported at about 11am.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry into the house and found Mr Donnelly in the living room.

Police said an investigation into the cause of the fire, which is not believed to be suspicious, has now commenced.

Tributes were paid on social media with Mr Donnelly described as "a true gentleman", "the soul of our street" and a true down to earth gentleman" who "belonged to the generation of old school".

It is understood that Mr Donnelly was the father of two daughters. Jonathan Tate, Fire Service area commander, warned of the dangers of fire during the festive period.

"During the Christmas holiday season, we would like to remind the public to ensure they have a working fire alarm on every floor of the house; to be aware of obvious dangers at this time of year like candles, wrapping paper and Christmas decorations and to plan an escape route and make everyone aware of it," he said.

Meanwhile, a woman leapt for her life from the window of her south Belfast flat after a fire broke out.

 A woman jumped to safety after fire broke out at the Russell Court building in south Belfast.
 A woman jumped to safety after fire broke out at the Russell Court building in south Belfast.  A woman jumped to safety after fire broke out at the Russell Court building in south Belfast.

The 27-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

They were rescued after a blaze started at about 11am on Tuesday at the Russell Court building on Lisburn Road.

It is understood the woman jumped from a window onto a lower level of the building.

The fire was brought under control within a few minutes.

Resident Lee Turtle, a father of a three-month old baby, said there was "pandemonium".

"Everyone was just running everywhere. When we got out we saw a woman jump out the window of the apartment the fire started in. She landed on her back on the roof and was shouting for help," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Christmas is ruined, we now have smoke-filled apartments, smashed-in doors."

The Ambulance Service said it dispatched four emergency crews to the incident where several people required medical care.