Man dies in Londonderry house fire

Police are probing the cause of an overnight fire in which a man died in Londonderry.
Fundraisers at Bow StreetFundraisers at Bow Street
Fundraisers at Bow Street

The blaze occurred at a terraced house in Upper Bennett Street.

A PSNI statement said: “Police can confirm that a man aged in his 40’s has died following a fire at a house in the Upper Bennett Street area of Derry. Police received a report of a fire at a house shortly after 8am this morning, Sunday 16 November. Emergency Services attended but unfortunately the man was found deceased at the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire has now commenced.”

SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said the community was shocked by the man’s death.

He said: “The very tragic death of this man over night in a fire is very shocking and upsetting not only for the man’s family and friends but also for his neighbours and wider community. I would like to express my sympathies and condolences.

“I understand that the PSNI will be investigating the circumstances of this terrible incident and I would urge anyone with any information to help in that investigation.”

Sinn Fein councillor Patricia Logue also expressed her condolences saying the man’s death was “an absolute tragedy”.