Downpatrick house fire victim is named locally

The father-of-one died after the fire broke out at his house on Cathedral View in the Co Down town sometime after 6pm on Friday.

A PSNI spokesman said they were carrying out an investigation after a man died in a house fire.

The spokesman added they were awaiting post mortem findings and the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said she learned about the death “with a deep sense of sadness”.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the man who lost his life; his family, relatives and friends,” she said.

“My deepest sympathies to the bereaved in their sad loss. The people of Downpatrick will stand shoulder to shoulder with the family of this man who lost his life in the days, weeks and months to come.”

And SDLP councillor Colin McGrath said he found out about the man’s death “when I was at a social event on Friday night”.

“We know his daughter to speak to through my local church as she was one of the singers,” he added.

“It has been a big shock and the community has been plunged into numbness that it has happened.”

Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard said: “Not only has a family lost a father and a husband, but Cathedral View has lost a popular and friendly neighbour.

“I have every confidence that the community will rally around the McCabe family as they come to terms with this loss in the weeks and months ahead.”