Teenager's body found in derelict house

A teenager’s body was found by a Water Service worker checking out a derelict house gutted by fire in Northern Ireland, it emerged tonight.

Fire crews fighting the blaze in the Ardown area of Craigavon, Co Armagh did not spot the body of 18-year-old Seamus Turkington.

They left the scene early on Saturday after putting out an intense fire, unaware there had been a casualty.

But hours later the discovery was made during further examinations of the house, believed to have been used as a drinking den.

Metal grills erected on the windows had been torn down.

A Fire Brigade statement issued tonight confirmed the tragedy only emerged after its crews had gone.

It said: “Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were made aware that a body had been discovered in the property at Ardowen by a water service employee who had been sent to the property to isolate the water supply.”

The service added that an internal probe has been launched.

Post mortem examinations were being carried out on the body of Mr Turkington, from Drumbeg, Craigavon.

As an investigation into the cause of the fire began, police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Dolores Kelly, an SDLP Assembly member for the area, expressed her shock at the death.

The Upper Bann MLA said: “My thoughts are with the family of this young man who seems to have died in such tragic circumstances.

“It is critical that anyone with any information on this incident gives it to the local police as soon as possible so that the full facts of the incident can come to light and the investigation can move quickly.”

Meanwhile, detectives were investigating a suspicious blaze at commercial premises in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Fire and water damage was caused to a store at Scarves Entry in the town early today.