A 35-year old man perished in a house fire near Enniskillen early on Thursday morning, in which his brother assisted in the rescue of other family members.
The deceased, Colin Falconer was a son of P.C. and Kathleen and a brother of Sean and Philip. He was single and lived with his parents. News of the tragedy evoked deep shock and sympathy in the community, particularly, within the farming community.
All four family members were asleep in the family's three-storey detached house at Derryvullen Road near Tamlaght when the smoke alarm went off at around 1.30 on Thursday morning last. The fire, which is believed to have started in the downstairs sitting-room, quickly gutted the ground-floor rooms and caused severe smoke damage to the rest of the house.
Family members were roused by the smoke alarm, including Colin's brother, Sean who managed to make his way outside and get a ladder up against his parents' bedroom on the first floor. He then assisted his father exit through the window and onto the ladder and is father, in turn, tried to get his wife out.
At that stage, firefighters had arrived at the scene and they were able to rescue Mrs Falconer. Colin, who had been alerted to the fire, had made it as far as his parents' bedroom but was overcome by the dense smoke.
Robbie Bryson, who was the local commander of the fire and rescue operation, confirmed that his team were able to get a second ladder to effect Mrs Falconer's escape: "We then got Colin out and fitted him with breathing apparatus but, sadly, he didn't make it through."
The other three members of the Falconer family, the parents and Sean together with three PSNI officers who also attended the emergency, were rushed to the Accident & Emergency department of the Erne Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. There was concern initially for Mrs Falconer but she was moved out of the hospital's Intensive Care Department on Monday morning. Her husband was discharged the previous night and their son, Sean the day after the fire.
A spokeswoman for the NI Fire and Rescue Service reported that three fire appliances attended, two from Enniskillen and one from Lisnaskea. She confirmed that two male members of the Falconer family were out of the house before the arrival of firefighters.
Robbie Bryson, the Station Commander at Enniskillen Station, said that while the specific cause of the fire was not known, 'we are 99 per cent sure the fire was accidental'.
There was instant reaction to the tragedy, all focused on the death of Colin and the well-being of his mother, Kathleen who is originally Kathleen Swift from Laughterush, Kilskeery. Colin was educated at Tattygar PS and St Michael's College and, from there, secured a Music diploma at the University of Ulster and, then, a degree in applied biochemical science at Jordanstown.
He worked for many years in Dublin as an IT server support engineer and was highly sought-after in this field. He loved music, with a special affinity for blues and jazz. He was a keyboard player who could adapt his style to any type of music and was a member of the band, Black Cat Bone.
When his job in Dublin finished, he returned to the family farm at Derryvullen where he worked alongside his father, P.C., a well-known figure in farming circles. Colin was described by a friend as, 'a proper gentleman': "He was quite, self-controlled and courteous."
Neighbours of the Falconers spoke of their feelings. One of them, Basil Johnston, who farms beside them, said the family were well respected in the area: "They are good neighbours. It's a terrible tragedy for them."
Like many others, he extended sympathy to the family on Colin's death.
The SDLP Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA, Tommy Gallagher said there was great sadness, as the family are very well known in the area and throughout Fermanagh.
"I commend the Police who were first onto the scene for their work in getting the family out and also the Fire Service personnel." (Six PSNI officers had assisted fire crews in the rescue operation).
Councillor Arlene Foster paid tribute to the Fire Service teams and said that but for their actions, 'we could have been talking about multiple loss of life'.
Fellow Councillor, Tom Elliott referred to previous tragedies within the Falconer family, the death in a farm accident in 1975 of Neil Falconer, an uncle of Colin and the death in 1982 of another uncle, Philip Falconer as a result of a road traffic accident in Saudi Arabia.
Colin's hugely-attended funeral took place yesterday after 11 o'clock Mass in St Michael's Church, Enniskillen. The burial was in Cross Cemetery. At the family's request, donations in lieu of flowers were directed to the Firefighters' Charity c/o Pat Blake, funeral directors, Church Street, Enniskillen.
Colin Falconer is immediately survived by his parents, P.C. and his brothers, Sean and Philip. He was waked at his aunties' home at Algeo Drive, Enniskillen where, among the many callers, were members of Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club. Philip is a member of its first XV1 and a former team captain.
A PSNI spokesman said that Police investigating the fatal fire were at this stage, not treating the fire as suspicious.
