Tragedy struck at 4am on Saturday morning in Castlewellan as a young local woman lost her life in a fire.
Ellen Finnegan (19) was caught in an upstairs flat above her father Bartley Finnegan’s butcher’s shop in the Lower Square in Castlewellan. Despite efforts by the firemen who fought through the smoke-filled flat with breathing apparatus to rescue her, Ellen died at the scene of the fire.
The blaze occured around 4am on Saturday morning. Twenty-two firemen battled with the fire to get it under control.
The NI Fire and Rescue Service have not yet established the cause of the fire which started in her bedroom. The local community is deeply shocked by the tragedy which has occurred on the day Ellen’s mother Nicola died of cancer three years ago in the same family home.
Castlewellan is a close knit community and her family, friends, neighbours and people throughout the community are deeply shocked at the very sad news of Ellen’s death. Ellen was a beautiful young woman, very well liked in the community and had an outgoing personality.
Her farther Bartley Finnegan ran the family butcher shop downstairs from the flat and the family had lived and worked there for decades.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has extended her condolences to the family of Ellen Finnegan. Ms Richie said: “This tragedy will have a profound impact on the entire community. It is difficult for most of us to contemplate the grief that is now being felt by this young woman’s family and friends, but on behalf of myself and all the people of South Down I would like to extend our deepest condolences to them at this most difficult time.
“I would also like to commend the work of the NI Fire and Rescue Service and the NI Ambulance Service who acted courageously in their response to this emergency.”
Chris Hazzard, South Down MLA, also expressed his sympathies to the Finnegan family and said: “This is a harrowing tragedy for Ellen’s family and friends. I extend my sincere condolences to the family on behalf of my party and myself at this very difficult and heart-breaking time. I have no doubt that the Castlewellan community will show their full support for the Finnegan family.”
South Down MLA Séan Rogers has expressed his sympathies with the family of Ellen Finnegan who died in the house fire in Castlewellan. He said: “My thoughts are with Bartley and his wider family circle. This news is simply heart-breaking and the feeling around Castlewellan is one of utter shock. There is a great sense of solidarity in the Castlewellan community and they will support those who have been left devastated by losing Ellen at such a young age.”
Mournes Councillor Laura Devlin also said: “Castlewellan is absolutely numbed following the tragic death of Ellen Finnegan.
“Ellen was a highly intelligent, strikingly beautiful, young lady with a quick wit and sharp personality – a personality that she was renowned for. All of these attributes made her such a popular person. In these ways and many more she was a lot like her late Mum Nichola.
“The Finnegan family have owned the butchers in Castlewellan for as long as I can remember. They are at the heart of the community and are loved and respected by everyone. The news this morning is just so hard to process.
“I visited Bartley this morning… all of the Finnegans and Halls are in my thoughts and prayers on this very dark day.”
John McCallister MLA, independent Unionist for South Down, has offered his deepest condolences to the family of Ellen Finegan after the tragic death of the teenager in a house fire in Castlewellan on Saturday.
In a statement Mr McCallister said: “My deepest condolences are with the family of Ellen Finnegan, her friends, and the community of Castlewellan. Such a tragedy is hard to comprehend but the close-knit community of Castlewellan will be sure to support the family and friends of Ellen in their time of grief.”
And Slieve Croob Councillor Garth Craid said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of Ellen’s young life being so suddenly cut off. To lose such a talented young woman in these circumstances is a real tragedy. I offer my sincere sympathy to her family and friends at this time of great loss.”
