A PENSIONER who died in a blaze at his home in Newtownabbey yesterday was named locally last night as Billy Meek.
It is understood that Mr Meek, who was in his 80s, was killed in the blaze confined to the living room of his bungalow in the Carmeen Drive area of Rathcoole.
A man in his 50s, believed to be a neighbour, was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, after he went into the home to rescue the victim.
Fire appliances were tasked to the scene at around 3.30pm.
North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said the tragedy had caused great shock and sadness in the area.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to this man’s family . . . they are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of sudden loss,” said Mr McCausland.
“This is a terrible tragedy and has caused great shock and sadness in the area. The man was well known and had lived in the estate for many years.”
The MLA paid tribute to the “brave attempt” made by the neighbour to save the pensioner.
He added: “It will have been a distressing scene for firefighters and PSNI officers responding to this emergency call-out.
“While a full investigation has yet to be carried out, it is reported that the fire was confined to the living room.
“This is a tragic reminder of the danger posed by house fires, in particular from dangerous fumes which often result from the burning of foam and other materials.”
Cindy McKinnell, a neighbour of Mr Meek, said people in the area were “devastated”.
“He was very well liked and well known. He was very quiet, his carers came in to help him,” she told UTV.
Assistant Group Commander David Heyburn said: “It’s very sad circumstances for the man’s family and our thoughts are with them and also with his friends and neighbours who made an effort to help.
“It was a brave attempt to go into the smoke to do that. He put his own life in jeopardy because there was quite heavy smoke in there.”
It was reported that the blaze may have started on an armchair in the living room.
Local DUP councillor Billy De Courcy expressed his condolences to the pensioner’s family.
“This appears to be a very sad accident, and I would like to offer my sympathy to his family at this time,” he said.