THE young daughter of a 37-year-old woman found murdered at the scene of a fire at their Co Armagh home was also in the property at the time.
Neighbours have described how the girl, believed to be aged 12, was rescued from the house in Portadown in the early hours of Tuesday.
One man told of how the emergency services "fought hard to save the lady" from the property in the Church Street area of the town. He said that her daughter was "thankfully" rescued from the blaze.
The 37-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the child was taken to hospital. She was in a stable condition on Tuesday afternoon.
Just hours later, police said a murder investigation had been launched, although the exact cause of the woman's death remains unclear.
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said: "Police received a report of a house fire in the Church Street area of Portadown at around 2.15am, Tuesday 21st March.
"Officers attended alongside colleagues from the NI Fire & Rescue Service and the NI Ambulance Service. Sadly, a 37-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. We have now launched a murder investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death."
Reports have suggested that the deceased is a foreign national. Her name had not been released by police on Tuesday.
Forensic officers spent most of Tuesday at the scene where large blue screens were erected and a drone deployed above the property. Police also remained at the scene throughout the day with cordons in place.
Much of the fire damage appeared to be at the back of the property.
People living on the street of terraced houses were forced to leave their homes with Portadown Town Hall set up as an emergency shelter to provide support to residents.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart described the situation as "very sad" and said her "thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased".
UUP assembly member Doug Beattie said his "thoughts are with all of those involved, family and friends, in this morning's tragic incident", while his party colleague, Julie Flaherty, said the community was "completely shocked, but have already been contacting me with offers of help and items for the young girl".
She added that "everyone will rally round to help".
Sinn Féin councillor Paul Duffy said his sympathies and that of the community were with the family and friends of the deceased.
"The police investigation into this killing is ongoing, and I would call for anyone with information which would assist police in bringing the culprit to justice to come forward," he said.
DUP councillor Kyle Moutray said he was "shocked and saddened to have wakened to the tragic news that a life has been lost".
