Baby 'critical' after blaze rescue

An 11-week-old baby was today critically ill in hospital following a house fire.

Firefighters were called to the house at Mountcairn Court in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, shortly after 9am.

Using breathing apparatus they rescued the baby from an upstairs bedroom.

The baby’s mother and two toddlers were also rescued from the blaze and were being treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fire Service Station Officer Peter O’Reilly said firefighters had to work quickly to rescue the baby.

He said: “We got a call at about 8.45 of a child trapped in a bedroom in Coalisland and sent four fire engines from Cookstown and Dungannon.

“When they arrived they found the fire had taken a hold in an upstairs bedroom and it was believed a small baby was in that bedroom.

“The guys immediately put on breathing apparatus to protect themselves. Very, very quickly they found the baby in the upstairs bedroom.”