Derry Man Saves Couple From Burning Bungalow

A Derry man who entered a burning house to save the lives of a couple trapped inside has been praised by the Fire Service for his actions.

- Alan Healy 

The fire broke out at a bungalow in the Altcar Park area of Galliagh shortly after 10pm on Saturday night.

The blaze quickly developed and engulfed the property, trapping a man and woman inside.

Sean McLaughlin, a neighbour of the couple, heard their smoke alarm and rushed to their bungalow.

The 33-year-old entered the burning building and rescued the man, who is confined to a wheelchair, taking him outside to safety.

Mr McLaughlin then entered the bungalow again, which by this time was filled with thick black smoke, and managed to drag the woman to safety, despite being surrounded by flames.

Crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) then arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze.

The man and woman were taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

A Belfast Trust spokesperson said last night that the couple were being treated at the hospital’s Burns Unit where their condition was described as ‘stable’.

Mr McLaughlin was also treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.