Funerals this morning of four Derry fire victims

The funerals will take place this morning of four members of the McCauley family who died in a fire at their home in Derry's …

The funerals will take place this morning of four members of the McCauley family who died in a fire at their home in Derry's Glenowen Estate early last Sunday morning. Husband and wife Jody (29) and Deborah McCauley (32) died at the scene of the fire along with their son, Ryan (8).

The fire claimed a fourth victim on Monday night when the couple's oldest child Aaron (11) died in Altnagelvin Hospital where he had been on a life support machine since the tragedy occurred.

Aaron's wider family circle agreed to donate his organs for transplant operations in other hospitals.

The only surviving member of the McCauley family, Jade (4), is still being treated in Belfast's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

READ MORE

A hospital spokesperson described her condition as ill but stable.

All four victims died from the effects of inhaling carbon monoxide and toxic fumes during the fire which started when an unattended chip pan burst into flames in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, a trust fund has been set up for Jade by friends and neighbours of the McCauley family.

One of the trust's organisers is firefighter Mr Michael Feeney. Mr Feeney, a neighbour of the McCauley's, has been praised for his efforts in attempting to rescue the family.

The trust has been set up at the Shipquay Street branch of the First Trust Bank in Derry. A bank spokesperson said yesterday: "There is a considerable amount of interest being shown in the trust. Many people want to donate to it, not only people in Derry and in the north-west, but also people from all over the country."

Requiem Mass for the four members of the family will take place at St Mary's Church, Creggan, at 10 a.m.