Inferno
Thursday, 8 July 2010
The scene of devastation at Neillsbrook in Randalstown last Wednesday (June 30) following a house fire that gutted one property and damaged a number of other houses nearby.
A HOUSE has been gutted in a devastating fire in Randalstown, which also left three other properties with extensive damage.
Four properties in Neillsbrook One were damaged in the blaze after a shed in one of the gardens caught fire on Wednesday morning (June 30) and spread to three oil tanks in the adjoining gardens.
The house which was destroyed joined on to the garden where the fire originally started.
A young woman, Hilary Hanlon, lived there with her two children. Ms Hanlon had only just finished decorating the property with the help of her father Paul.
Speaking as firefighters doused the rubble with water, Mr Hanlon said: "It's unbelievable how quick this sort of thing can spread.
“If it wasn't for a girl who lives at the end of the row putting out her washing, Hilary might not have known until it was too late."
Hilary was devastated by the damage.
She said: "The fridge and cooker are only weeks old and the house is in ruins. It was so strange how it happened. I was upstairs bathing my little girl and if one of the neighbours hadn't banged on the door to get me out then I might not have realised.
“All I could think of as we watched was the poor birds in their nest in the trees in the garden. I didn't think how much damage would be done. I kind of thought the fire brigade would be able to put it out."
According to bystanders, the flames spread rapidly towards Ms Hanlon's house and within ten minutes had destroyed the roof.
Speaking on behalf of the fire crews at the scene, Assistant Group Commander Mark Beresford said: "We are still trying to determine the exact cause of the fire which began in a shed to the rear of the building.
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