Fireman dies after hotel blaze

A firefighter died tonight after a blaze at a hotel.

Joe McCloskey, 50, who had served as a part-time firefighter at Dungiven station for 25 years, died of his injuries after falling through the roof of a storeroom at Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady, Co Derry.

Chief fire officer Colin Lammey said staff throughout Northern Ireland were devastated at the death of the father of five.

“It’s hard to find appropriate words at such a sad time. My thoughts are with Joe’s family, friends, his colleagues and the community he served.

“We are all mourning the sad and tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze which broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Assistant chief fire officer Peter Craig said the brigade did not yet know how it began.

“At this moment in time we do not know the cause of the fire. The cause is under investigation by the PSNI and it is my understanding that this investigation is at a very early stage.

“The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade deeply regrets the death of one of its firefighters,” he added.

Five of Mr McCloskey’s colleagues were injured as they went to his aid at the hotel.

They were later released after treatment at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.