The PSNI has confirmed a woman in her 50s has died following a house fire in west Belfast on Monday afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene of the blaze, but the woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene in New Barnsley Park, Ballymurphy.
The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
“Police can confirm that a woman in her 50s has died following a fire at a house in the New Barnsley Park area of west Belfast on Monday, 16th December,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“Police were notified of the fire at around 3.25pm and attended along with colleagues from other emergency services.
“Detective Sergeant Christine Alexander said: “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the blaze but, sadly, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Police are conducting enquiries into this death, on behalf of the Coroner. At this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Emergency services were called to the scene of the serious incident in Ballymurphy on Monday afternoon.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it received a report of a fire at the house at 3.24pm on Monday.
“The thoughts and sympathies of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are with the loved ones of a woman who died following a house fire in New Barnsley, Belfast yesterday afternoon,” a NIFRS spokesperson said.
“On Monday 16 December, Firefighters were called to reports of a house fire. Two Fire Appliances from Springfield Fire Station, 1 Fire Appliance from Cadogan Fire Station and 1 Fire Appliance from Westland Fire Station attended the incident.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used 1 hose reel to extinguish the fire. One female occupant, aged in her 50s, tragically passed away at the scene.
“Firefighters left the scene at 4.36pm yesterday afternoon and the cause of the fire is believed to accidental ignition at this time.”
Sinn Féin councillor Micheal Donnelly has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased
“This is absolutely tragic news, and I want to express my heartfelt condolences to this woman’s family and friends,” Cllr Donnelly said.
“My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with her loved ones as they begin to come to terms with such an unimaginable loss.
“In what will be immensely difficult days ahead, I know the local community will rally around to support the woman’s family and friends.”
