Man dies in blaze

Man dies in blaze

20 April 2022

THE 62 year-old man who died along with his dog in a house fire in Carryduff last week was David Marshall.

Fire broke out at Mr Marshall’s Manse Road home on Tuesday morning with four Fire and Rescue Service appliances rushing to the scene.

Mr Marshall has been described by his family as a “popular local character” with a love for dogs, particularly his poodles Rum and Coke, one of which passed away a number of years ago.

The Fire and Rescue Service were called to his home following reports of a fire with police closing the junction of the Manse Road and Cadger Road while firefighters dealt with the incident.

A spokesman for Fire and Rescue Service said its thoughts and sympathies were with Mr Marshall’s family and friends.

He confirmed that two fire appliances from Knock Fire Station and others from the Central and Cadogan stations responded to the fire, alongside a specialist rescue team.

“Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used three jets to extinguish the fire,” the spokesman confirmed. “Tragically, a man was discovered in the property and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The fire was under control by 2.10pm and the cause remains under investigation.”

South Belfast Alliance councillor, Michelle Guy, said the community was “shocked and saddened to hear about this awful tragedy.”

She added: “I want to extend my sincere condolences to the loved ones of the man who lost his life, as they struggle to come to terms with this awful news.”

SDLP South Belfast Assembly election candidate Elsie Trainor offered her condolences to Mr Marshall’s family.

She added: “It’s always very difficult to lose a loved one but I can only imagine what they are going through given these very difficult circumstances.

This is a tight-knit area and this death will also be a shock to the local community in Carryduff.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the work of the Fire Service who responded to this incident. They put themselves in harm’s way to help others and our community would be lost without them. I’d urge anyone who has any information about this fire to come forward to police as soon as possible.”

Police said the alarm was raised at 10.20am last Tuesday with the Ambulance Service also responding to the incident.

A PSNI spokesman added: “An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and our officers have been in the area conducting enquiries. We would appeal to anyone with information they believe may assist our investigation to call us.”

Anyone who can assist police is asked to get in touch using the non-emergency 101 number, quoting reference number 397 12/04/22. Information can also be provided using the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.