Murder investigation launched after woman, 37, found dead in horror house fire in Armagh as child hospitalised
A MURDER probe has been launched after a woman was found dead inside her burning home.
The 37-year-old woman’s daughter, 12, was also caught up in the blaze and rushed to hospital after being rescued by firefighters.
are trying to establish what took place in the house before the fire broke out.
Officers initially described the woman’s passing as a “sudden death” before reclassifying it as murder during the course of the day.
Emergency services raced to the scene in Portadown, Co , early this morning as locals reported the terraced property on Church Street was burning.
Firefighters were alerted that people were inside and entered the building to retrieve the mum and daughter.
The battle to bring the blaze under control went on for almost two hours.
The woman, believed to be Lithuanian, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Her child was taken to where her condition is described as stable.
Neighbours’ homes on Church Street had to be evacuated during the incident.
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On Tuesday afternoon firefighters had to return to the scene for a time as flames broke out again in the property.
The NI Fire and Rescue Service said four engines dealt with the incident in the early hours of this morning.
A spokesman said the call came at 2.13am on Tuesday and the blaze was extinguished shortly before 4.21am when firefighters left the scene.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said: “We have now launched a murder investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
“A number of residents have been evacuated from their homes in the area due to the fire.”
'SHOCKED'
DUP Councillor Kyle Moutray said he had been left “shocked and saddened” at the news.
He paid tribute to the “fast actions of the emergency services” and offered his condolences to loved ones of the woman.
Councillor Paul Duffy said: “The news of this woman’s death has shocked the town and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
“The police investigation is ongoing and I would call for anyone with information which would assist police enquiries to come forward.”
Upper Bann MLA and Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie described the incident as “terrible” as he too offered condolences to the family of the deceased.
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said his thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the woman who died and praised the response of emergency services and all those involved in providing support to local residents.
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He said: “I would just urge everyone to give the police the space they need to carry out their investigation and obtain the clarity that is needed following this shocking incident.”
Cops spent hours searching the area around the house as the investigation began, while drones were posted above the property to record details.
