Brooke Reid McMaster tragedy: Principal pays tribute to ‘beloved’ student

Brooke Reid McMaster, a year nine pupil at Dunclug College, died in the blaze at her home at Staffa Drive in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena on Wednesday evening.

A man who was in the house at the time was taken to hospital for treatment, according to police.

In a post on Facebook, Dunclug College principal Ruth Wilson said that staff and pupils “record deep sorrow on the tragic death”.

The message said: “The staff and pupils of Dunclug College record deep sorrow on the tragic death of their beloved pupil, Brooke Reid, in Year 9, and send support and prayers to her grieving parents & family circle. ‘Suffer the little ones to come unto me’.”

Police forensic officers were at the scene today as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.

Several bunches of flowers have been left near the scene of the tragedy.

TUV leader Jim Allister added: “To hear of this young girl’s death is devastating. The community rescue efforts were commendable but, alas, to no avail in respect of the child.“

Independent councillor Rodney Quigley said: “This is just heartbreaking. The whole community is just numb.

“It’s such a terrible tragedy and my sympathies are with the family of the young girl who has died.”

He added: “I was talking today after the death of a man in a flat in Ballykeel. Little did I know I would be standing here today after the death of a young girl in Ballykeel again dealing with a tragedy. This is just heartbreaking.”

DUP councillor Audrey Wales echoed those comments, saying: “I would express my heartfelt condolences to the family involved, and my sympathies to the entire community who must be absolutely traumatised by what has happened in the last 24 hours.”

TUV councillor Matthew Armstrong said: “My heart goes out to the distraught and devastated family. I’ve no doubt the tight-knit community in Ballykeel will rally round.”

Democratic Unionist Stormont assembly member Mervyn Storey said: “This is indeed a tragedy.

“No one can begin to imagine the grief the family is going through and they will need all the support and comfort the local community and further afield can give.”