Northern Ireland

Support offered for North Down MLA Alex Easton after parents die in house fire

Alex Easton's parents were initially removed form their Dellmount Park home by firefighters, but were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Alex Easton's parents were initially removed form their Dellmount Park home by firefighters, but were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Alex Easton's parents were initially removed form their Dellmount Park home by firefighters, but were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
By Paul Ainsworth

THE family of North Down MLA Alex Easton are being offered support through their "unimaginable grief" following the death of his elderly parents in a house fire.

Alec and Ann Easton died following the blaze at their Dellmount Park home in Bangor, Co Down, this morning.

The pair, who were both 81, were initially treated at the scene by emergency services, before being pronounced dead.

Messages of support have flooded in for independent unionist and former DUP representative Mr Easton, who has represented North Down since 2003, including DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who spoke of the "enormous loss".

The fire and rescue service said they were alerted to the fire at the detached property shortly before 8.45am.

Nineteen firefighters arrived at the scene before removing the elderly couple from the house as the flames were extinguished.

"Paramedics administered first aid to the casualties, but tragically they died at the scene," assistant chief fire officer Aidan Jennings said, adding the "thoughts and sympathies" of the service were with Mr Easton's family.

Mr Jennings said the cause of the fire was under investigation, while a PSNI spokesperson said its officers were also conducting enquiries as part of the probe.

"This sad news will come as a huge shock to the local community and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time," the spokesperson said, adding: "We would appeal to anyone with information they believe may assist our investigation to call us."

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said three emergency crews and the charity air ambulance were sent to the scene of the fire.

Revealing his heartbreaking loss in a social media post yesterday Mr Easton said: "I can’t believe I am having to say this but both my mum and dad have passed away, I don’t know what to say, but I would ask that you give myself and my family time to process things and respect our privacy as we grieve."

Mr Donaldson said he spoke with Mr Easton following the news, "and expressed my sympathies to him at this time of unimaginable grief and to assure him of our prayerful support".

He added: "The thoughts of everyone within the DUP are with him and the wider family as they struggle to take in this enormous loss."

Mr Easton's fellow North Down MLA, Stephen Dunne of the DUP, added the tragedy had "shocked the local community in Bangor".

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the area are with Alex," he said.

UUP North Down MLA Alan Chambers told BBC NI yesterday his "heart goes out" to Mr Easton, who he said had been a "dedicated carer" to his parents.

Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan offered "sincere condolences" to Mr Easton, while Sinn Féin MLA Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey said he wished to offer sympathies on behalf of the Assembly.

"Words are simply insufficient in the aftermath of a heart-breaking loss such as this," he added.

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