Irish dancer perishes in US blaze

A YOUNG Irish dancer, who dreamed of attending Trinity College in Dublin, was one of 16 victims of a fire that swept through Southern California last weekend.

Ashleigh Roach, 16, died as she, her brother, sister and a friend fled the firestorm that engulfed the family's home in San Diego.

The Irish-American community in the area has organised a benefit for the devastated family, while a memorial service was held yesterday for the teenager. Ashleigh's sister Alyson, 20, remains in a critical condition with burns over 85% of her body, while their brother, Jason, is also critically ill.

The Roach family, who only recently returned from a visit to Ireland, are members of the House of Ireland in San Diego, the focal point of the Irish community in the area. An Irish dancer since the age of three, Ashleigh was the newly-elected queen of the community.

The House of Ireland paid tribute to Ashleigh. "As newly-elected queen, she was excited to represent the community. She dreamed of attending Trinity College "Ashleigh was in a car, driven by her 22-year-old brother, trying to escape the flames on Sunday.

The car veered off the road and crashed in to a tree.