12/02/2002
Two men die in west Belfast hostel blaze
The police have launched an investigation into the cause of a fire in which two men died at a residential hostel in west Belfast.
The two men Hugo Brannigan, aged 62, and Jim Irvine, aged 42 died after a blaze broke out at the men's Morning Star Hostel in Divis Street near Belfast City Centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Three men suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation following the blaze are said to be in a stable condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Four fire engines were called to the scene at 2.30am on Tuesday February 12. There were 18 people, including staff, in the building at the time.
Assistant Principal Fire Officer Alex Withers said although it was unclear how the fire started "there was no obvious sign that it was malicious".
He said when fire crews arrived the ground floor of the hostel was ablaze.
The two men who died, believed to have been residents, were found by fire officers wearing breathing apparatus.
Health Minister Bairbre de Brún, who visited the scene on Tuesday, said it was a devastating blow and a "real loss to the community."
Joe Hendron, assembly member for west Belfast (SDLP) also visited the hostel on Tuesday to pay his respects to the men who died in the fire. Mr Hendron, who is a doctor in the area, said he had answered many calls to the hostel and knew the staff and residents well.
He commended the work of the Morning Star hostel staff and extended his sympathy to the families and friends of the men that had died.
(AMcE)
The two men Hugo Brannigan, aged 62, and Jim Irvine, aged 42 died after a blaze broke out at the men's Morning Star Hostel in Divis Street near Belfast City Centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Three men suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation following the blaze are said to be in a stable condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Four fire engines were called to the scene at 2.30am on Tuesday February 12. There were 18 people, including staff, in the building at the time.
Assistant Principal Fire Officer Alex Withers said although it was unclear how the fire started "there was no obvious sign that it was malicious".
He said when fire crews arrived the ground floor of the hostel was ablaze.
The two men who died, believed to have been residents, were found by fire officers wearing breathing apparatus.
Health Minister Bairbre de Brún, who visited the scene on Tuesday, said it was a devastating blow and a "real loss to the community."
Joe Hendron, assembly member for west Belfast (SDLP) also visited the hostel on Tuesday to pay his respects to the men who died in the fire. Mr Hendron, who is a doctor in the area, said he had answered many calls to the hostel and knew the staff and residents well.
He commended the work of the Morning Star hostel staff and extended his sympathy to the families and friends of the men that had died.
(AMcE)
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