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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Conor Coyle

Andrew Halliday: Man, 52, dies in fatal house fire in Omagh

The PSNI and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the circumstances of a fatal house fire which led to the death of a Co Tyrone man in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Andrew Halliday died at his home in the Edinburgh Park area of Omagh following the blaze, which was reported to emergency services around 6am.

Neighbours in the Edinburgh Park area described their shock at the man's death, describing Mr Halliday as a 'nice, quiet man' who was well known for being a window cleaner in the Co Tyrone town.

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It is believed the 52-year-old was originally from the nearby Orangefield area of Omagh and had moved to Edinburgh Park recently.

A number of officers carried out investigations at the house on Wednesday, with both the fire service and the police continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said first aid was administered to the victim at the scene before his death.

“On Wednesday 18 January at 5.39am, Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a 2 storey terraced house in Edinburgh Park, Omagh," the spokesperson said.

“3 Fire Appliances attended the incident- 1 from Omagh, 1 from Dromore and 1 from Fintona. Firefighters rescued a man from the house and extinguished the fire. They administered first aid to the casualty, but tragically he died at the scene.

“The thoughts and sympathies of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are with his loved ones at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

In a statement the PSNI said it will liaise with the fire service to determine the cause of the fatal blaze.

"The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be subject to investigation in liaison with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service," a police spokesperson said.

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA, Nicola Brogan, offered her condolences to the family of the deceased.

“The community is in shock today following the death of a man in a house fire in Edinburgh Park," Brogan said.

"This was a tragedy. My thoughts and sympathy are with this man's family and friends.

"I would also like to express deep gratitude to the emergency services who responded to the fire."

Alliance Party councillor Stephen Donnelly said the community in Omagh was 'horrified' by news of Andrew's death.

"I am shocked by reports that a man has died in the Edinburgh Park area of Omagh following a house fire in the early hours of this morning," Cllr Donnelly said.

"The whole community on the Hospital Road and in the wider Omagh area will be horrified. I urge full cooperation with the PSNI and Fire Service as they make the area safe and start their investigation."

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