A 103-year-old woman from the Ards Peninsula died days after a fire at her home but her 98-year-old husband has lost his life-long partner, a local representative said.
Doreen Wilson, from Ballywalter, passed away on Monday two days after a fire engulfed the home she shared with husband Norman.
Five fire appliances were rushed to the scene around 2pm on Saturday .
Smoke blanketed a part of the peninsula village’s main road as firefighters tackled the blaze.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said one of the occupants of the house “self-rescued” while a second was taken from the house.
“It is a big shock for the whole family,” said councillor Robert Adair, who knew the couple to see around Ballywalter.
“It is a tragedy. No matter the age, it is a still a loss and there is still an empty chair.
“For this gentleman he has lost his life partner you can imagine for over 60 years and maybe more. There is an empty regardless of age.”
Mr Adair described the family as well known and well respected in the area.
Crews from four stations attended the scene of the fire and needed three reels to extinguish the flames.
Councillor Joe Boyle told the Newtownards Chronicle: “This is a terrible tragedy to have happened to this elderly couple and has a cast a dull cloud over the community. I am sure the Ballywalter community and those nearby will rally around to offer their condolences.”
