Cause of fire in which parents and daughter died yet to be determined

Forensic experts are trying to determine what caused a fire at a house in Rostrevor, Co Down, early yesterday which claimed the lives of a married couple and their daughter.

Despite the frantic efforts of neighbours and the early arrival of fire crews, Brian and Briege Boyle and their daughter Sasha (28) died in the blaze at their home in Rosswood Park at about 4 a.m. yesterday.

The couple's other daughter Marie, a model, who earlier in the night had been celebrating her 21st birthday in the house with family and friends, escaped through a skylight with the assistance of neighbours.

Another friend staying in the house after the party, Ms Anne Kavanagh, was injured. Her condition in hospital last night was said to be "serious but stable". Two firefighters were also treated for injuries sustained tackling the blaze.

It is so far unclear what caused the fire, but at this stage it is thought to have been accidental. It is believed to have started in a downstairs room of the two-storey dormer semi-detached house as the family slept.

The flames and smoke quickly swept through the house. Neighbours said the smoke triggered an alarm in a nearby house, whose occupants raised the alert. One alarm in the Boyle house was without batteries, while it is yet to be established whether a second alarm in the house was working. The fire is believed to have started about two hours after guests had left Marie's 21st party. Police are understood to be investigating whether the fire may have been caused by a lighted candle on top of a television in the living room. The fire quickly spread towards the front door, trapping Mr and Mrs Boyle in an upstairs room and Sasha Boyle and Ms Kavanagh on the ground floor, it is understood.

Firefighters from nearby War renpoint using breathing apparatus had to battle through flames to reach the victims. Mr and Mrs Boyle and Sasha were dead at the scene but the fire crews succeeded in resuscitating Ms Kavanagh.

Marie Boyle and her brother Shane, who returned to Rostrevor having left the party earlier, were treated for shock. The house was boarded up last night and forensic experts are returning today to try to determine the cause of the blaze.

The President, Mrs McAleese, who has a home in Rostrevor, sent a message of condolence to the family, expressing her shock and grief at the tragedy. Mrs McAleese said she was "shocked and very saddened by the death of three members of the Boyle family" who were family friends.

A message of condolence was conveyed to the Boyle family from the President, her husband, Martin, and their children, through the local curate, Father McGivern.

During a visit to the Esat Tele com Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS, Dublin, yesterday, Mrs McAleese confirmed that Brian and Briege Boyle had attended her wedding, and their family were friends of the McAleese family and her husband's family for 25 years.

A spokeswoman said the President had been informed of the deaths of the Boyles at 7 a.m. yesterday, and was profoundly saddened by reports of the fire in her home community. Mrs McAleese is expected to attend the funerals. Mr Anthony Williamson, a local independent councillor, said the Boyles were "the heart and soul of the community".

"This is a terrible tragedy, a terrible loss. Everybody is in a state of shock here," he added.