PSNI launch murder inquiry into Omagh house fire
Police investigating the house fire in Omagh, in which a family of seven died, have launched a murder inquiry.
Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter would not confirm who he believed was behind the attack which killed the parents and five children yesterday morning.
Det. Baxter said: "We have now moved to the position where we are saying this is a crime scene and we have commenced a murder investigation.
“This is one of the most tragic and devastating murder investigations the PSNI has had to encounter with the loss of so many young lives.”
A team of 30 detectives and support staff had been appointed, he said.
“Our initial forensic examination of the home has established that there was a significant quantity of accelerant discovered in the property.”
The house in Omagh, Co Tyrone, was left a blackened shell and the roof destroyed during the fierce fire from which none of the inhabitants are believed to have escaped.
Five bodies have been located and the other two are believed to be still in the debris.
Fire crews and police officers have been combing the wreckage to try to determine the cause of the blaze amid rumours it may have been deliberate.
The North's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, visited the scene today and spoke to firefighters, some of whom have not slept since yesterday morning's tragedy.
He said he was alarmed by the suggestion that a potential crime could be involved.
“Obviously that makes a bad situation very much worse,” he said.
“The thought that this could have been done by someone is something that is too horrible even to contemplate but it appears now that this is being contemplated by the police.”
He added that he hoped the victims would be removed with as much dignity as possible and said those who attack the emergency services should think again.
He said the abuse was nonsensical and added that workers were doing a tremendous job.
“People are looking on the length and breadth of the country. They want answers to how could this have happened.
“The only people that are going to establish for us will be the intelligence of the police.”
