Third fatal house fire in 24 hours prompts NIFRS seasonal safety warning

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has issued a renewed appeal for household fire safety after a woman died following a house fire in Dunmurry, marking the third fatal fire within a 24-hour period.

Firefighters were called to reports of a house fire at Areema Drive, Dunmurry, at 3.51am on Saturday morning.

Two appliances from Lisburn Fire Station and one from Cadogan Fire Station attended the incident.

Smoke alarms alerted the occupants of the property, enabling a man aged in his 50s, a 19-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl to self-rescue. All three suffered from smoke inhalation.

Tragically, one female occupant, a woman aged in her 40s, died at the scene.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and utilised hose reel jets and thermal imaging equipment to extinguish the fire. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, and firefighters left the scene at 7.04am.

In a statement, NIFRS said:

“The thoughts and sympathies of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are with the loved ones of a woman, aged in her 40s, who died following a house fire at Areema Drive, Dunmurry.”

NIFRS said the incident represents the third loss of life from house fires in the past 24 hours, describing the situation as highly unusual.

It said it is unusual to have so many house fire fatalities over such a brief period, but confirmed there has been a rise in this type of incident this year. As a result, NIFRS is urging the public to think carefully about fire safety during the festive period and to heed its ‘Safe for the Season’ messaging.

Key safety advice includes warnings not to overload plug sockets and to stick to one plug per socket, ensuring Christmas lights are switched off and unplugged before leaving the house or going to bed. Households with real Christmas trees are also reminded to keep them well hydrated, as dry trees become more flammable.

NIFRS has also highlighted the risks associated with cooking during the festive season, advising people to avoid cooking while under the influence of alcohol and to keep tea towels, packaging and paper away from hobs. Appliances should always be switched off when finished with or when leaving the room.

The service is encouraging residents to keep candles well away from curtains and decorations and, where possible, to opt for battery-operated alternatives.

With homes often becoming more crowded at Christmas, NIFRS is also stressing the importance of keeping escape routes clear of decorations and gifts and ensuring everyone in the household is aware of the fire escape plan.

NIFRS reiterated the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, advising that smoke alarms should be fitted on every level of the home. Any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas boiler, fireplace or wood-burning stove, should have a working carbon monoxide alarm, as carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless.

The public is also being encouraged to look out for others over the holiday period, checking in on vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours to ensure they remain safe.