House fire

[ab196]

 Hi, I am wondering if anyone might be able to help. I have come across three children named Mary, Linda and John Hennessey who all died on 11th June 1961 in what appears to be a house fire in Belfast. I am wondering where I might find out more about this. Any help would be appreciated.

[wb54]

Hi ab196,
                What a terrible sad thing to have happened to them children.
                There is got to be something in the Belfast Telegraph, when
                the library is open.

                Did look on the Belfast City Council burial records, there is
                13 Hennessy’s but none for the children.
                The papers look the best way forward.

                 Good luck in your search.
                                                  Billy.
               

[Elwyn]

The Belfast Telegraph of 14th June 1961 has a short article on the funeral. Children from Holy Cross girls primary walked in the procession. Hundreds of mourners were unable to get into the church. Family address was 95 Estoril Park. The children who died were named as Linda 8, Mary 10 & Hubert 5.

Birmingham Daily Post 23rd June 1961 records the inquest (Accidental deaths). The father William John Hennessy, 33, lorry driver, said he forbade his brother in law from throwing his 10 year old daughter out of the upstairs window in case she was injured.  “I thought we would be able to get them all out the back door.”  The brother in law, James McErlain, 38, also died. Sounds absolutely awful.
 
The specific cause of the fire isn’t mentioned in the 2 newspaper articles.

[ab196]

 Thank you wb54 and Elwyn.
 This is much more information than I could have hoped for.
 Such a tragedy.

[Tipperdarby]

I remember that dreadful fire. Mary Hennessy was about my age which was 10. I don’t remember if she was in my class. We lived a few streets away but we were on holidays in Bangor at the time. I remember my parents being so shocked when they read about the fire in the paper. I cried when they told us. I still remember what Mary looked like, a skinny wee thing like all the rest of us but she had lovely curly hair.
Afterwards, walking past that burnt out shell of their house was so incredibly sad. It seems to me it took ages for it to be rebuilt. .I could be wrong...it was almost 60 years ago.

Eileen

[wb54]

Hi everyone,
                    Sorry to hear the brother-in-law was killed as well.
                    Was there any report in the Irish News?
                    Hi Tipperdarby, must have been very horrible for
                    everyone there.

                    I would think the council would have refurbished the house.
                    In the early 70’s , we where send to repaint a house which
                    went on fire and I believe a young boy lost his life.
                    This was house some where off the White Rock area.
                     Sad then.        Billy.
                   

[Elwyn]

Hi everyone,
                    Sorry to hear the brother-in-law was killed as well.
                    Was there any report in the Irish News?
                   
                   

There may well have been a report in the Irish News (and perhaps other papers) but my subscription site doesn’t include it. Perhaps someone else can help?

[ab196]

Hi Tipperdarby
It makes it all the more real when you describe the little girl and how you felt walking past the burned out house.
I think memories from childhood are inclined to stay with you. Thanks for your post.

wb54
It must have been difficult having to go in to repaint the house where the young boy lost his life in a fire.
Very sad times.

[wb54]

Hi ab196,
                I was in the City Council/Housing Executive till 1974, we would have been
                working with other tradesmen.  Always tried to do a good job .
                Was in about seven house’s sometimes, if it was only a small fire
                the family might still be able to stay there.
                Good luck in your search,
                    Billy.
               

[Tipperdarby]

Those homes in that part of Ardoyne were privately owned so I don’t think the council would have refurbished them. I spoke to a friend yesterday about it and he agreed that the black shell was there for a long time. Must have been really difficult for the immediate neighbours or the folk across the street who had to look at it all that time. A very frightening experience for everyone. Dear love those poor parents.

Eileen

[Bread Basket]

Very very sad

[Bread Basket]

Sorry, hopefully in focus better than above

[Tipperdarby]

Aw thanks so much for that Bread Basket. .heartbreaking to read. This would be my first time reading the details. I doubt very much I would have read it when I was 10.

Eileen

[Bread Basket]

Aw thanks so much for that Bread Basket. .heartbreaking to read. This would be my first time reading the details. I doubt very much I would have read it when I was 10.

Eileen

Eileen,
It hit home with me as it was the job I did for 33 years

[Tipperdarby]

Yes, I know it was your job. .it hits me again these days because my son in law is a Fire Fighter also.

Eileen