Tragedy after Londonderry house fire

The fire service was alerted to the blaze shortly after 11am this morning after neighbours spotted smoke.

The man was found in a living room of the house and declared dead at the scene. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The deceased has not yet been officially named.

The scene was cordoned off as members of the Fire and Rescue services continued to treat the property and examine the terraced street near Academy Road.

A local resident said: “It’s terrible, very worrying for everyone. There are a lot of students and young families in this area. It’s awful to think that someone might have lost their life like this.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Cooper who was also at the scene expressed his condolences to the family of the young man.

He added: “The entire community are in shock at the terribly sad news in this area this morning.”

SDLP Foyle Westminster candidate Mark Durkan has expressed his sadness at the young man’s death.

Mr Durkan said: “This news comes with a great sense of shock not only to immediate neighbours but to the entire community.

“My initial thoughts are for the bereaved family of this young man to whom I send my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences at this very distressing time.

“It is a terrible tragedy for someone so young to have died in these circumstances.”