A fire which claimed the lives of three generations of a Shankill family in Belfast yesterday appears to have been caused accidentally, according to police last night. Gerry Moriarty reports.
A grandmother aged 80, her son in his late 30s and his three-year-old son died in the blaze which was discovered at lunchtime yesterday at Edenbrook Close.
Postmortems are to be held on the victims today while police and fire crews will continue to examine the scene to try to determine what triggered the fire.
The fire was discovered when a man called to the house about 1pm yesterday. He became suspicious and alerted neighbours, and then police, fire crews and ambulances.
One of the bodies was discovered in a bathroom of the house, and two of the bodies in a bedroom, local people said.
There appeared to be little outside damage to the house although there was evidence of considerable smoke damage inside. Neighbours said they were unaware of the fire and had not noticed smoke, flames or the smell of smoke.
Chief investigating officer Supt Gary White said relatives of the victims and the local community were "devastated" by the accident.
"Police are investigating, and further details will not be made public until they are properly known. We can say at this stage that initial inquiries suggest there were no suspicious circumstances. However, it is important that anyone with information, no matter how small, contacts the police," added Supt White.
DUP MP Nigel Dodds expressed his shock and sadness at the accident. "A family from our community is facing a terrible heartbreak with such tragic losses. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this devastating time," he said.
"This is a closely knit community and this tragedy will be keenly felt by all. No doubt this community will rally around the family at a time of such shocking loss and bereavement," added Mr Dodds.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Fred Cobain said the community was stunned by the tragedy.