The 13-year-old victim of the Omagh house fire phoned the emergency services in a attempt to save her family, it emerged today.
Caroline McElhill made a 999 call at 4.54am as the flames began to spread and take hold before the roof collapsed. The young girl was found in the house clutching her telephone and a pair of rosary beads, police said in a statement.
Det Chief Supt Norman Baxter, PSNI
Seven members of the same family died in the fire at Lammy Crescent on November 13th. They were Arthur McElhill (36), his partner Lorraine McGovern (29), and their five children - Caroline (13), Sean (7), Bellina (4), Clodagh (18 months), and James (nine months).
In a lengthy statement, Det Chief Supt Norman Baxter confirmed that all seven members of the family died from smoke inhalation and the fire had been started with an accelerant at the bottom of the stairs.
The PSNI said they wished to correct some "inaccurate and misleading" material which had been published in the media.
Some elements of the media had deviated into "unhelpful speculation with the publication of rumour and gossip presented in a sensational and graphic manner", Det Chief Supt Baxter said.
At this stage, he added, police believed it was "appropriate" to release certain information.
"Police have established the fire was started inside the house after accelerant was deposited in the hallway and lounge prior to being ignited. Forensic examination has indicated that the fire was ignited at the base of the stairs. It has also been established that the fire could not have ignited from a source external to the house," the statement said.
"Police can confirm that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation."
The PSNI revealed that Caroline (13) made a telephone call to the emergency services in an attempt to save her family.
"The investigation team have established that Caroline, at 13 years of age, had the presence of mind and bravery to seek help from the emergency services to save her family," said the senior officer.
PSNI statement
Det Chief Supt Baxter said he intended to nominate the young girl for a posthumous award in recognition of her courage.
"Out of the burnt wreckage of this family home there will be many poignant memories of what members of the public, fire-fighters, scientists and police encountered in seeking to rescue members of the family, extinguish the flames and subsequently investigate an unimaginable crime," Det Chief Supt Baxter added.
The PSNI senior officer said the past three weeks had been "a harrowing experience for many people, not least for the extended McGovern and McElhill families but also for the people of Omagh in general".
"It has been a difficult, protracted and distressing experience . . . both within Serious Crime Branch and the local community police in Omagh," he added.
"When the investigation team has completed its enquiries, the papers containing all available evidence will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service. The evidence will also be forwarded to a coroner," Det Chief Supt Baxter said.
Friends and neighbours of the teenage girl tonight said her bravery and the manner in which she acted at a time of unimaginable distress had left them shocked.
Donal McDermott, her headmaster at the Sacred Heart College in Omagh where she was a second year pupil said: "She was a lovely, bubbly girl, so full of zest and life."
The funerals of those who died in the fire took place at the weekend.
The bodies of the victims were released for burial after their families agreed there should be one funeral service, and for Mr McElhill to be buried separately from his family.
Additional reporting: PA