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Ballymena: Northern Ireland town hit by double tragedy after child dies in house fire

 (Independent)
(Independent)

A child has died in a house fire in Ballymena, it has been reported in the second fatal tragedy to have struck the town in 24 hours.

Fire and rescue personnel attended the scene in the Staffa Drive area of Ballykeel on Wednesday evening, according to The Belfast Telegraph, but were unable to save the child.

Her passing came just hours after police launched a murder enquiry in the area after a 33-year-old man was found dead in a nearby flat on Crebilly Road. Two men, aged 29 and 33, have since been arrested.

DUP Alderman Audrey Wales told the paper: “This community really must be in such shock, this is two disastrous pieces of news within 24 hours.

“My heart, sympathies and prayers go out to the child involved and I hope that the community can be assured that they will get all the help that they need from the local council.”