Man dies in hospital after fire at house in Ballymoney

The fire was at a flat in Main Street in Ballymoney

A man in his 50s has died in hospital after a fire at a house in Ballymoney, County Antrim.

He has been named locally as business owner Paddy Douglas.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Main Street shortly before 07:00 BST on Tuesday.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building, put out the fire and removed a man from the building.

He was taken to hospital by the ambulance service but died there.

DUP Councillor Darryl Wilson said Mr Douglas was a "well known and liked character from our town" and sent condolences to his "family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss".

Members of the Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Ballymoney alumni group posted that he was "one in a million and a total legend".

Police said the fire is not being treated as deliberate.

Main Street was closed while emergency services tackled the blaze but it has since reopened.