Woman in her 90s dies in house fire as NIFRS issues urgent home safety appeal after four fatalities
- Love Ballymena
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A woman aged in her 90s has tragically died following a fire at a residential property in Lisburn, as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) issued an urgent home fire safety appeal after four fatal house fires across Northern Ireland in just three days.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed officers received a report of an ongoing fire in the Tansy Road area shortly before 6.30pm on Sunday evening, December 14.
Police attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze.
Emergency crews later confirmed the woman died at the scene. Enquiries into the circumstances of the fire are ongoing, however police have said it is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.
According to NIFRS, firefighters from Lisburn, Lurgan and Springfield Fire Stations were called to a mobile home fire at 5.54pm on Sunday.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to tackle the blaze. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental, and firefighters remained at the scene until 10.46pm.
The tragedy forms part of a deeply concerning pattern, with three further fatal fires recorded across Northern Ireland over the same weekend.
On Saturday 13 December, firefighters responded to a fatal house fire at Areema Drive, Dunmurry, where a woman aged in her 40s died. On Friday 12 December, a man aged in his 20s died following a flat fire at Queen Victoria Gardens, Fortwilliam, while a woman aged in her 50s died in a separate house fire at Abbey Park, Bangor. All three incidents are believed to have involved accidental ignition.
NIFRS Area Commander Suzanne Fleming said the number of fatalities in such a short period was exceptional and alarming.
“The thoughts and sympathies of NIFRS are with the loved ones of a woman who died yesterday evening (Sunday 14 December 2025) as a result of a mobile home fire at Tansy Road, Lisburn.
“In the space of just 3 days, 4 people have sadly lost their lives to separate home fire incidents across Northern Ireland. This number of fatal incidents in such a short space of time is both highly unusual and deeply concerning.”
She urged households to take immediate steps to reduce the risk of fire, particularly as winter conditions and seasonal hazards increase.
“We are strongly urging the public to make home fire safety a priority. Check that smoke alarms are fitted and tested regularly, avoid overloading plug sockets and extension leads, and take extra care with cooking and electrical appliances.
“Ensure you have a bedtime routine and unplug all electrical items that are not required to be left on overnight.”
Highlighting the impact on families and communities, she added:
“These recent fires show how quickly everyday situations can turn into life-changing emergencies. Taking a few simple steps now could prevent further loss of life or serious injury and help keep people safe in their homes. So far this year there have been 15 fatal house fires. We do not want that number to increase, and we need your help to prevent it.”
Fire officials have also encouraged people to check in on older relatives, neighbours and vulnerable members of the community, particularly those living alone, to ensure they have working alarms and safe heating arrangements.
NIFRS Home Fire Safety Advice
Have a working smoke alarm fitted on each floor of your property
Have a working carbon monoxide alarm installed in rooms with fuel-burning appliances
Never leave cooking unattended or cook under the influence of alcohol
Check Christmas lights conform to British Standards and are in good working order
Never overload sockets and always turn Christmas lights off before bed
Keep heaters away from soft furnishings and decorations
Ensure real Christmas trees are well hydrated
Never leave candles unattended and keep them away from decorations
Extinguish cigarettes properly and never smoke in bed
Keep escape routes clear and agree a fire escape plan
Check on older relatives and neighbours to ensure their safety