30/01/2004

Pensioner dies in flat fire

A blaze at a flat in Co Down has claimed the life of a disabled 80-year-old woman this morning may have been started by a candle.

The fire was discovered at the flat in High Street, Portaferry at around 8.30pm on Thursday.

Neighbours made unsuccessful attempts to reach the woman, named as Jose Coll. And although firefighters arrived within minutes, they too were unable to reach the pensioner in the living room of the flat.

A spokesperson for the Fire Service said that the blaze was "well developed" when the fire crew arrived and that despite their best efforts it was too late to save the woman.

(SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 July 2001
ASSEMBLY CREATE AWARD TO HONOUR FIRE SERVICE
THE Northern Ireland Fire Service is to receive the first ever award given by the province's devolved assembly. An illuminated scroll is to be presented to Chief Fire Officer John McClelland on Tuesday, by assembly speaker Lord Alderdice in tribute to the sacrifice made by fire fighters over the years.
16 October 2023
NIFRS Highlights Importance Of Home Fire Safety And Prevention
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has highlighted the importance of fire safety and prevention in homes in the wake of attending accidental fires during Fire Safety Week. Firefighters responded to three separate incidents on Wednesday, 11 October.
17 September 2014
Community Fire Station Opens In Omagh
Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots has opened a new £4.4m Community Fire Station in Omagh, County Tyrone. The new Community Fire Station & District Headquarters on the Killybrack Road includes onsite facilities for firefighter training and transport and engineering workshops.
02 April 2012
NI's Chief Fire Officer Announces His Retirement
The Chief Fire Officer for Northern Ireland, Peter Craig, has announced that he is to retire after over 35 years of distinguished Service. Peter Craig is one of the longest serving officers in Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and was appointed as Chief Fire Officer in February 2011, having been the acting Chief from July 2010.
20 July 2010
UK-Born Limerick Fireman Compensated
An English-born firefighter has been awarded €5,000 in compensation for discrimination by Limerick City Council. An Equality Tribunal heard Martin Mannering, now living in Cappamore, Co Limerick was left a note to leave his job because he was no longer "in Middlesbrough".