TRIBUTES have been paid to the Newcastle pensioner who died in a fire at her Merrion Avenue home last week.
The Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the blaze which claimed the life of Ms. Marion Moreland last Thursday morning started accidentally.
The alarm was raised around 9am when Ms. Moreland’s neighbours heard the smoke alarm sounding inside the pensioner’s home.
Four fire appliances — two from Newcastle and one each from Downpatrick and Ballynahinch — attended the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building which was well alight and discovered Ms. Moreland in the property but could do nothing to save her.
Tributes to the pensioner have been led by the Rev. Dr. Ivan Patterson of Newcastle Presbyterian Church and her former employer, Mr. Fred Wadsworth.
Mr. Patterson described Ms. Moreland as a “very caring and loving daughter” who looked after her parents and latterly her mum Elizabeth.
He continued: “She was friendly and a very good neighbour with a generosity of spirit. She was a kind and generous individual. What happened is an absolute tragedy for her mother who is still alive. She was with her mum every day and was very good to her.”
The Rev. Patterson described Ms. Moreland as a “very caring, loving person who was generous in her concern for people.”
Mr. Wadsworth said Ms. Moreland had worked at his Main Street store for 16 years and was a very popular with her colleagues and customers.
“Marion was a very conscientious and reliable member of staff and worked in the household and haberdashery department. She had wide experience and is it very sad she has lost her life in such tragic circumstances,” he said.
Mr. Wadsworth added: “Marion was a quiet lady who kept herself to herself, but was someone who always joined in anything that was going on. My sympathy is with her mother, who also worked at Wadsworths in the past, at this very sad time.”
Local politicians have expressed sympathy to Ms. Moreland’s mother with South Down MP Margaret Ritchie describing the pensioner’s death as a “very tragic event.”
She continued: “My deepest sympathies and prayers go to Ms. Moreland’s family and anyone else who was close to her. I also commend the efforts of the Fire and Rescue Service whose officers fought the blaze most valiantly but were unfortunately unable to save this lady’s life.”
Newcastle councillors Carmel O’Boyle, Willie Clarke and Patrick Clarke have also extended their sympathy to pensioner’s family.
Councillor O’Boyle — who knew Ms. Moreland — said the people of Newcastle, and in particular her neighbours in Merrion Avenue, were very shocked and saddened by the tragic news of her death.
She added: “Ms. Moreland was a quiet and highly respected lady and it is so tragic that her life ended in this way. The emergency services are to be commended for the valiant efforts they made to save her life.”
Councillor Willie Clarke said he was shocked by news of the fire which he described as a “tragedy for Ms. Moreland, her family and friends” while Councillor Patrick Clarke said the whole community will “feel the shock of this awful incident.”