Northern Ireland

House fire that killed three people may have been started hours before alarm was raised

The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann

POLICE believe a house fire that killed three members of one family in Co Fermanagh may have been started hours before the alarm was raised.

The PSNI last night said the deliberate fire at an isolated farmhouse in Derrylin began in the early hours of yesterday but emergency services were only alerted at around 7.15am when neighbours discovered the blaze.

People living close to the bungalow on Molly Road told how they used a sledgehammer in a desperate bid to break into the property.

"They smashed the windows in trying to get into the house," said one neighbour.

A child is believed to be among the three people who died, although police last night refused to reveal the sexes or ages of the victims.

A 27-year-old man remained in police custody following his arrest on suspicion of murder.

The PSNI said he was detained at the scene and transferred to hospital for treatment prior to his arrest.

One man was arrested following the fire in the rural property in Derrylin. Picture by Mal McCann
One man was arrested following the fire in the rural property in Derrylin. Picture by Mal McCann One man was arrested following the fire in the rural property in Derrylin. Picture by Mal McCann

In a update on the police investigation last night, PSNI Superintendent Jane Humphries appealed for witnesses.

"At this time we believe the fire was started deliberately," she said.

"Police were called to an address in the Molly Road area of Derrylin at around 7.20am this morning. We believe the fire began in the early hours of this morning.

"We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in or travelling through Derrylin between midnight and the time the fire broke out."

Earlier, police said the emergency services were carrying out an "extensive examination" to establish the cause of the blaze and determine if anyone else was involved.

The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann

Throughout yesterday, a constant flow of emergency vehicles travelled along the rural roads leading to the property as a major investigation into the events that led to the three deaths continued.

A sense of disbelief hung over the area as residents struggled to comprehend the devastation that had taken place at the whitewashed family home.

The three victims are believed to be members of one family and originally from Doncaster in England.

Reports last night suggested they had lived in Tralee prior to moving to Derrylin.

It is understood they had been renting the house, which is along a narrow lane near the scenic Doon Road, for around a year.

Read more:Visible signs of devastation as Derrylin resident describes shock at fire tragedy

Neighbours tried to rescue three who died in Derrylin house fire

While many said they did not know the family well, neighbours described how they seemed "pleasant and happy".

"I would have seen them out walking along the road, sometimes pushing the pram or there were times that the girl was carrying the baby," said one neighbour.

"They would have always waved or said hello. She seemed quite young, she was always pleasant and happy.

"It's just such a terrible tragedy."

The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people are dead and one man was arrested. Picture by Mal McCann

Firefighters said they were called to a "well-developed fire in a detached bungalow" at 7.14am after neighbours raised the alarm.

Local people had tried to smash a window, but were unable to get in as the property was consumed by the blaze.

Catherine Fee, whose father Tom owns the rented house, last night said he had been contacted by a friend to alert them to the blaze.

"She said there was a fire in the house and there was smoke coming from the roof," said Ms Fee.

"My dad got up and went down to check. He tried to get into the house.

"They (her father and a neighbour) smashed the windows in trying to get into the house."

The bungalow was destroyed in the blaze and the roof collapsed, leaving a shell surrounded by farm buildings and machinery.

Another neighbour said: "It's tragic, you just don't think it going to happen in a small village like ours. I can't believe this has happened."

Another resident told how she had spotted smoke in the distance as she looked out her bedroom window yesterday morning.

"I didn't know what it was, then I heard the sirens," she said.

"Then to learn that three people have died, it's unbelievable."

The remains of a house in Derrylin where three people died following a house fire. Picture by Mal McCann
The remains of a house in Derrylin where three people died following a house fire. Picture by Mal McCann The remains of a house in Derrylin where three people died following a house fire. Picture by Mal McCann

Parish priest Fr Gerard Alwill said he did not know the family, but described the three deaths as "very tragic".

"People are stunned, people are shocked," he said.

"They are totally mystified as to how this could happen.

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said it would be "remembered as one of the most horrific days that the village of Derrylin has seen".

She also said she had spoke to neighbours who had tried in vain to help free the victims from the house.

"I know that some of the neighbours had went to the house here this morning to try and rescue the family inside," she said.

"They are badly shaken.

"I understand they used a sledge and tried to break a window to gain access but weren't able to do that."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said it was devastating news for the local community.

"It is important that the cause of the fire is established but my thoughts and prayers are with all those in the local area, friends and the wider family circle as they struggle to come to terms with this terrible tragedy," she said.

UUP MLA Rosemary Barton said: "After visiting Derrylin and speaking to several members of this close knit community, there is great sadness and a sense of disbelief about this fire and the related deaths.

"This is a community that is very supportive of each other and there is a palpable sense of great loss being felt."