Belfast fire victim named

Police in Northern Ireland tonight named a 47-year-old man who died in a fire in a North Belfast block of flats.

Howard Michael Greer was pulled out of the flat in Mount Vernon House on the Shore Road at around midnight on Friday.

Fire officers believe he was asleep when the fire started and woke up to find the living room on fire.

The victim was overcome by fumes and died shortly after being pulled out of the blazing flat.

Divisional Fire Officer Paul Smyth said the man’s smoke alarm had been disconnected from the electricity mains.

“We got the call to our control room at around 11.47pm and we suspect the blaze was going for about 30 minutes,” he said.

“The investigation is at an early stage but we believe the man was asleep when the fire started in the living room.

“It may have smouldered for a while, melting the window frames which enabled more air to get behind it, fanning the flames.

“The fire was contained to the living room which was completely destroyed while the rest of the flat was affected by heat and smoke damage.

“Unfortunately the man’s smoke alarm was not connected to the mains and I would advise anyone living in flats or who have an elderly relative to make sure they have working smoke alarms, to make sure they are properly wired.

“This was tragic.”

A number of other flats were evacuated on the first floor of the building during the emergency.