East Belfast Blaze Kills Woman

There has been a tragic fire in east Belfast with a 55-year-old woman killed in a domestic house blaze.

It was at a house on Castlereagh Place off the Woodstock Road on Saturday night with a neighbour noticing smoke coming from the house and then alerting the Fire Service.

They entered the premises wearing breathing apparatus and found the victim - but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Robin Newton East Belfast DUP MLA said once again the tragic circumstances that have led to the death of a woman in her home highlight the need to improved home safety.

"This second fatality within seven days in East Belfast is an alarming situation. Death by inhaling smoke fumes or by fire in the home through a horrible accident is just too terrible to contemplate," he said.

"The bravery of the Fire Service personnel who attended the incident was unfortunately not rewarded as the victim was dead at the scene.

"This tragic incident reminds us of the dangers even in an environment in which we all feel comfortable and take safety for granted."

The Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has also offered his condolences following the death of a woman in a house fire on Saturday in Castlereagh Place.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: "This is a tragic death. I would like to offer my sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of this woman. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

"This is the second house fire death in East Belfast recently so I would urge people to ensure that all fire alarms are in working order and that people know what to do in the event of a fire. Every house should also have an evacuation plan so that people can get out of the house quickly if a fire does break out."

(BMcC)