Family left devastated after the death of Ballymena schoolgirl Brooke Reid McMaster (12)

Brook Reid McMaster (12), a pupil at Dunclug College, died following the blaze at Staffa Drive in the Ballykeel area on Wednesday evening.

The tragedy happened just hours after the murder of a man in the same housing estates.

Three fire appliances attended the blaze at Staffa Drive but, despite community efforts to rescue the young girl she sadly lost her life in the fire.

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.”