TWO pensioners are said to be devastated at the loss of three beloved family pets who perished in an accidental house fire which destroyed their Brownlow home.
Two cats and a dog died in the blaze, which started at around 8.30pm last Thursday at a property in Ardowen. The owners – a man and a woman both aged 65 – escaped with minor burns and were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
It i
s understood neighbours were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm. Three fire appliances – two from Lurgan and one from Portadown – attended the fire which is subsequently being treated by police as non-suspicious.
Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd said it was fortunate that the owners managed to escape without serious injury. “Unfortunately three family pets perished in the blaze and the home was destroyed by the fire,” he explained.
"On the very verge of Christmas, this couple, who have lived in the Ardowen estate for several decades, find themselves homeless and their family pets and treasured possessions gone.”
The Sinn Fein member continued, “While we do not know the exact cause of this fire we do know that the Christmas period brings with it additional fire hazards.
average
Within an 18-day period last Christmas, from December 20 to January 6 the Fire Services were called out to 60 house fires, an average of between three to four fires a day. In almost 25 per cent of these fires there was either no smoke alarm or one that didn’t work.
“Enjoy the Christmas period but exercise care and ensure that there are no possible fire hazards within your home. If a fire should start don’t be tempted to deal with it yourself. Get everyone out of the house immediately and call the Fire Service. Property is replaceable, a life is not.”
