Son dies as mother escapes house fire tragedy

A COOKSTOWN man who died following a tragic house fire which his elderly mother was rescued has been named locally as 59 year-old David Major.

Mr Major was pronounced dead at the scene after a raging fire ripped through his Cooke Crescent home.

Fire crews were called to the terraced house at around 1.30pm after neighbours had taken his elderly mother to safety.

Firefighters who entered the property were met by an “intense fire” both upstairs and downstairs.

Five crew members carried out a search and rescue operation as well as dousing out flames.

Mr Major was located but was unable to be saved.

It is believed the fire started in the kitchen area of the home, but the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service say an investigation is still ongoing into the incident.

Describing the Cooke Crescent man’s death as a “tragedy”, Cookstown councillor Trevor Wilson, who is a former Killymoon Rangers team mate of the described, offered his sympathies to the family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with David’s family and friends at this difficult time,” he said.

“This can only be described as a tragedy, especially in the mouth of Christmas.”

Cookstown Fire Station Commander Alan Martin also offered his condolences to the Major family.

He said: “On behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service I wish to extend my condolences to the deceased’s family at this difficult time.

“I would also like to acknowledge the work of the crews, some of whom lived in that area.”

Commander Martin said fire investigations are ongoing.