Derry fire claims its fourth victim

Ten-year-old Aaron McCauley died yesterday in Altnagelvin hospital, becoming the fourth member of his family to die as a result…

Ten-year-old Aaron McCauley died yesterday in Altnagelvin hospital, becoming the fourth member of his family to die as a result of the fire which destroyed their home in Derry at the weekend. His four-year-old sister, Jade, is being treated in the intensive care unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, where her condition remains critical.

The funerals of Aaron's parents Jody (29) and Deborah (32), as well as his eight-yearold brother, Ryan, will take place in Derry this morning. All three died in a fire at their home in the Rosemount area of the city.

Neighbours tried unsuccessfully to rescue them after the fire broke out at about 3.30 a.m. on Sunday. The fire began in the kitchen and most of the family were trapped upstairs.

A neighbour, Mr Brian Feeney, a member of the City of Derry Airport fire service, tried unsuccessfully to rescue them.