Londonderry: Man dies in Clooney Terrace house fire

A man has died in a house fire in the Waterside in Londonderry on Sunday.

Police were notified of the blaze at Clooney Terrace just before 17:00 and attended along with other emergency services.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze but the man died at the scene.

"At this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious," said Insp Lavery of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it dispatched an emergency crew to the scene after it received a report about the fire.

It said firefighters were already at the property and an "ambulance was not required" so its "crew was stood down".

The Northern Ireland Fire Service said its "thoughts and sympathies" were with the family of the man who died.

It said four fire engines attended the fire, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to enter the property.

The fire was brought under control by about 18:20. The cause remains under investigation.

Clooney Terrace was closed in both directions and diversions were in place on Sunday but it has since reopened.

DUP MLA Gary Middleton says his thoughts are with the man's family and the wider Waterside community at this difficult time

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle on Monday, DUP junior minister and Foyle assembly member Gary Middleton said his thoughts are with the man's family and the wider Waterside community.

"Sadly the life has been lost of a gentleman in their 70s and our thoughts and prayers are with all that knew this man," Mr Middleton said.

Mr Middleton also paid tribute to the swift actions of the firefighters who helped extinguish the blaze on Sunday.