Northern Ireland

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

The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people died yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people died yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a fire near Derrylin where three people died yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann

WITH the roof caved in and smoke still rising from the property, the visible signs of the devastation that took hold in Derrylin were clear yesterday.

Amongst the sprawling green fields in the Co Fermanagh village, numerous fire trucks could be seen parked around the isolated farmhouse where just hours earlier tragedy had struck.

Throughout the day, a constant flow of emergency vehicles made their way along the rural roads that led to the Molly Road property as a major investigation into the events that led to the three deaths was carried out.

The large house, surrounded by farm buildings and machinery, is believed to be where a young family, understood to be originally from England, had made their home.

Living there for around a year, according to neighbours, they were often seen walking along the roads close to their home, waving at those who passed by.

But the family are understood to have "kept themselves to themselves".

The isolated farmhouse in Derrylin where the fire happened. Picture by Mal McCann
The isolated farmhouse in Derrylin where the fire happened. Picture by Mal McCann The isolated farmhouse in Derrylin where the fire happened. Picture by Mal McCann

Despite little being known about those who perished, residents in Derrylin were clearly shocked by the devastation that they had awoken to yesterday morning.

In the village itself, a sense of stunned sadness was evident, disbelief that three lives had been lost so close by.

At two shops in the village, it was the main talking point of the day with many people visibly shocked that the tragedy had happened on their doorstep.

Amid the sunshine and intermittent snow showers, people stopped and spoke quietly to one and another.

"I just can't believe that something like this could happen in a village like Derrylin," one woman said.

"And for people so young to lose their lives is devastating."

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