Small village community left numb with sadness after fire took lives of a ‘friendly family’
THE small border village of Derrylin was wreathed in sadness yesterday as local people came to terms with the terrible tragedy which has claimed at least three lives.
As snow began to fall from leaden skies, the peace of the Molly Road, a typical rural route peppered with farms, was broken by a hive of activity as a steady procession of police cars made their way to and from the scene of the fatal fire.
The fire-ravaged bungalow where the blaze occurred stood open to the elements, a gaping wound-like hole in the roof offering no protection to the charred remnants of what was once a family home.
Neighbour Ciara Brien (22), whose house lies close to the remains of the property, described the family who had lived there as “very friendly”.
“You would always see them walking up and down the road and they would always wave at you,” she recalled.
“I’m just completely devastated — it’s crazy that this could happen on my own doorstep.
“The house has been completely destroyed.
“This is a rural community and we all look out for each other. My mum and dad have lived here for years and nothing like this had ever happened before in this area. I think we won’t sleep as easy tonight.”
Another neighbour, a mum-of-two, agreed.
“We always saw them out walking with the child in the buggy,” she said. “They were very polite and pleasant, and they kept themselves to themselves.
I’m so sorry for their family
— it’s just terrible. Derrylin is a brilliant community and people here will come together to do what they can to support them.”
Fr Gerard Alwill of St Ninnidh’s Church in Derrylin praised the local people who had attempted to save those in the house.
“It’s the kind of action that people in rural Ireland would do to help their neighbours,” he said. “I have not heard of a tragedy like this
happening in Derrylin before.
“It has been a great shock to the community to lose three lives, especially if, as has been rumoured, the lives lost include a young child.
“People just can’t really get their heads around it.
“At this stage I don’t know what religion, if any, the people had but I met with the local Church of Ireland minister and we will certainly be remembering them in our prayers.
“At times like this people like to rally round and take care of the family. They want to sympathise and offer their support.
“My thoughts and prayers are also with the family,” he said.
Politicians also added their voices to the chorus of grief over the tragedy.
DUP leader Arlene Foster expressed shock at the loss of life.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: “This is devastating news for the local community and there is widespread shock in the area.
“I understand that all those who have died are members of the same family.
“It is important that the cause of the fire is established but my thoughts and prayers are with all those in the local area, friends and the wider family circle as they struggle to come to terms with this terrible tragedy.”
The vice chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Alex Baird, also sent his condolences to the relatives of those who passed away.
“Derrylin is a small community and there is so much sadness and numbness at what has happened,” he said.
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton said she had travelled to the village to offer her support to the community.
“After visiting Derrylin and speaking to several members of this close-knit community, there is great sadness and a sense of disbelief about this fire and the related deaths,” she said. “This is a community that
❝ There is a palpable sense of great loss and disbelief being felt in this close-knit community
is very supportive of each other and there is a palpable sense of great loss being felt within it today.
“At this very difficult time, my first thoughts and prayers are with the relatives of those that have lost their lives, and the wider community.”
Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew praised local people who had attempted to save the occupants of the house.
She said: “As somebody who goes to a house in good faith to try and help people and people die, that is just, it’s horrendous. It’s hard to take.
“I have no doubt in the days ahead the community of Derrylin will rally round to assist the bereaved as they start to come to terms with this tragedy.”