Girl (12) dies in Ballymena house fire
Last updated 1st Oct 2020
An investigation is under way after a 12-year-old girl died in a house fire in Co Antrim.
Brooke Reid McMaster was a year 9 pupil at Dunclug College
Paramedics were called to the house on Staffa Drive in Ballymena's Ballykeel estate just before 6 last night (Wednesday)
A man who was in the house at the time was taken to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment following the blaze.
His condition is unknown.
The fire service said three appliances attended.
A local councillor, DUP Alderman Audrey Wales told Downtown Radio & Cool FM that an entire community had been left "completely traumatised"
And DUP MLA Mervyn Storey added: "This is indeed a tragedy.
"No one can begin to imagine the grief the family is going through and they will need all the support and comfort the local community and further afield can give.''
Traditional Unionist Voice assembly member Jim Allister said the estate had been plunged into sorrow.
"To now hear of this young girl's death is devastating.
"The community rescue efforts were commendable but, alas, to no avail in respect of the child.''
It is the second death in the Ballykeel area of the town in 24 hours.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of 33-year-old Donald Fraser Rennie was discovered at a flat in Crebilly Drive.