Petrol Found in House

prendy

I hear they found alot of traces of petrol in that house where the 7 died....is that the sickest thing ever???

biko

Don't start rumours.
Do you have a source for this?

Snarler

prendy wrote: »

I hear they found alot of traces of petrol in that house where the 7 died....is that the sickest thing ever???

No. Watch some video of beheadings or try and imainge the horrors of the holocaust.

prendy

Don't start rumours.
Do you have a source for this

on the news at 5.
Police chief confirmed it

thecleverone

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1114/omagh.html

---

Ireland
Murder inquiry launched into Omagh fire
Wednesday, 14 November 2007 16:42
A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a significant amount of petrol at the scene of the Omagh house fire.

All seven bodies have been found in the remains of the house at Lammy Crescent.


A specialist fire investigator is due to arrive from England today to 'quality assure' the inquiry.


AdvertisementThe terraced house remains cordoned off, with tonnes of blackened rubble affected by persistent rain. Police are conducting searches of the general area.


Arthur McElhill and his partner Lorraine McGovern lived with their five children at the end of a terrace.

The five children ranged in age from 13 to less than a year.

Mr McElhill was from the small town of Ederney and was a farmer.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited the scene today and spoke to firefighters, some of whom have not slept since yesterday morning's tragedy.

He said he was alarmed by the suggestion that a crime had been committed, saying it made 'a bad situation very much worse'.

Many of the estates in the area were built by the Housing Executive, however a spokesman said that the fire-damaged property was in private ownership and could have been sold under a tenant purchase scheme.

According to him, the couple may have been renting the accommodation as they were in receipt of housing benefit.

PSNI officers used torches to search the area around the badly-burned building last night.


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Audio & Video
One News: Michael Fisher reports that the PSNI has not ruled out the possibility of arson in the Omagh house blaze Tommie Gorman, Northern Editor, reports that the use of a fire accelerant is a theory being examined
Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1114/omagh.html

watna

Why would anyone want to kill an entire family? and if they didn't why would they try and kill someone in a house where his family are all sleeping. That's literally overkill.

whiskeyman

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhmhgbojkfgb/

breakingnews.ie wrote:

Father 'main suspect' in Omagh house fire case

?!??! Jesus. I wonder if he did it, what drove it to make him do it? Shocking

breakingnews.ie wrote:

Father 'main suspect' in Omagh house fire case
14/11/2007 - 20:00:59The North's worst house fire tragedy which killed a family of seven became a murder investigation tonight - with the father the prime suspect.

Forensic tests revealed that petrol was sprinkled inside their home and then set alight.

Neighbours of Arthur McElhill, 39, said they were stunned by the police announcement less than 36 hours after flames swept through his home in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Stephen Mullan, 21, who tried to rescue him, said: "I am just numb."

Mr McElhill and his partner Lorraine McGovern, 30, were last seen alive as he tried to break open an upstairs window. Their five children, Caroline, 13, Sean, seven, Bellina, four, Clodagh, one and James, just 10 months, also died in the inferno.

Police said tonight they had accounted for the remains of all seven.

Detectives have not commented in detail about the murder investigation, but it is understood Mr McElhill is considered the chief - and only - suspect.

Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's serious crime squad, had earlier refused to comment on claims that officers had been called to the house on a previous occasion or that there had been some sort of commotion between the two adults before the fire broke out.

Post-mortem examinations will be carried out once the bodies are removed, but only after a thorough forensic examination by an expert from England who specialises in fire investigations.

Neighbours said they heard screams coming from the house as the flames shot through the house, and Mr McElhill was spotted with his partner at an upstairs window.

A ladder was pushed up against the front of the house though the rescue bid had to be abandoned because of the intense heat.

Mr Mullan, a tiler who lived two doors away, said: "I am just numb. I don't think it is sinking in yet."

Other neighbours said they were shocked by the development. Ross Hannaway, 53, said: "I can't believe this. It is just to terrible to think about. You used to see the kids out playing all the time, and now they are just gone. Why would anybody want to do this?"

Jim Devine, 36, a painter, said people needed answers. He added: "I just think it is outrageous whoever did this. Nobody deserves to have this happening to them. I am dumbfounded. This is the last thing this community needs."

Police are likely to speak with friends, neighbours and workmates of Mr McElhill as part of their investigation.

He worked as stockman for James Crammond, who owns a farm just off the Dublin Road on the outskirts of Omagh. Asked if he thought one of his workers could have been responsible for the tragedy, Mr Crammond replied: "I would be totally amazed."

Mr McElhill also owned cattle which he kept on other land near Omagh.

Mr Crammond said: "I would be totally amazed if they suspected Arthur, that would totally amaze me, but I suppose they have to look at all the angles.

"He spent a lot of time looking after his family, some of them were not very well, heart murmurs, child problems.

"They seemed fairly close, yes. He worked for me for five to six years when he was fit.

"He was a very capable worker when he was fit. I knew he took a drink."

The bodies of the seven are expected to be removed from the ruins of the end of terrace house tomorrow. Post-mortem examinations will be carried out later, a vital part of the police inquiries.

Superintendent Baxter said: "This is one of the most tragic and devastating murder investigations that PSNI has had to encounter with the loss of so many young lives.

"Our initial forensic examination of the home has established that there was a significant quantity of accelerant discovered in the property. It is too early at this stage to rule anything in or anything out."

John McGlinn, a 21-year-old window cleaner, was among those who tried to save the family. He said he saw the parents at the bedroom window desperately trying to break free before flames engulfed the premises like a bonfire.

"The screaming I will never forget - it was as if the whole place had been amplified, you could hear every noise. It was like being in a cinema with surround sound."

The family had just bought a new car and young people in the area said they seemed very happy.

Samone Sharkey, 13, used to go to school with eldest daughter Caroline and said she was a keen camogie player.

"She was very bright, we were good friends. I was in the house on Saturday, she was happy, looking forward to Christmas and getting a new phone."

Outer Bongolia

God, shocking

l3LoWnA

whiskeyman wrote: »

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhmhgbojkfgb/


?!??! Jesus. I wonder if he did it, what drove it to make him do it? Shocking

It was the first conclusion that came into my head when I saw the first news reports, that the father could have done it. No evidence I know.....just a personal hunch, when I heard police were called to the house before and there was arguing in the house that night earlier on. It didn't add up that the fire spread so rapidly and that they weren't knocked out by smoke inhalation before they realised the place was on fire, the fire started rapidly an upstairs - obviously alot of accelerant was used and this eve the news said the police were concentrating theie examinations upstairs - so it looks like the fire was started both deliberately and upstairs! Just read in the indo that both the parents were shouting for help though neither of them made attempts to escape even when the neighbours were putting a ladder to the window....who knows what went on....

Such a terrible tragedy though, those poor wee little children! So sad.

JIZZLORD

shocking
RIP

Wishbone Ash

l3LoWnA wrote: »

It was the first conclusion that came into my head when I saw the first news reports

Same here I'm afraid.:(

A bit off topic but did anyone else find it odd that RTE reported several times today that the PSNI were awaiting an expert who was "travelling from the UK".

I think they better get the maps out!

Dave!

Really tragic story... the whole f*cking family...

God imagine being one of the grannies in that family. Your child and grandchildren all dead in one go.

Horrendous.

Oriel

Moved to news forum anyone?

Terry

Nah. It's fine here.
I can't see anyone screwing around in this thread.

Peared

Somebody above said they wonder what drove him to it. I dont think there can be anything that could be considered a "reason" in any way shape or form for this.

Its sad, but usually when families have been wiped out, most people will look to the father. And what is sadder is that it usually turns out to be true.

Obviously he is only a suspect and nothing is proven. I remember before though, in similar situations hearing people say "God love him/her, what must they have been going through to do such a thing" F*ck that says I, let em hang. Do away with yourself if you must but leave your kids the **** alone.

hot fuss

All this speculation about the father is highly inappropriate and uncalled for in my opinion.

And I don't mean just here, but in the media. Gerry Ryan was talking about him this morning as if he'd been convicted already. The police specifically asked the media to be careful with how they report on the case and then there are sick headlines everywhere today, like a classic Herald number, "How could he do it?"

As if the poor families aren't going through enough.

Outer Bongolia

Just look at the front of The Star, see what they are calling him. They could have at least waited a few days

prendy

ya but thats the tabloids for ya...why wait for proof when you can sell papers.

shanksmare

l3LoWnA wrote: »

It was the first conclusion that came into my head when I saw the first news reports, that the father could have done it.

why the father? why did your hunch not also consider the mother?

biko

It's terrible alright. I hope they manage to find out what happened soon so the gossip and speculation will die down.
RIP

whiskeyman

hot fuss wrote: »

All this speculation about the father is highly inappropriate and uncalled for in my opinion.

In fairness, if it was anyone else, there'd be a massive public manhunt on for the murderer(s). It's clear from the first 24hrs that forensics showed this was an 'inside job' and no one else was to be looked for. No news reporter (especially tabloid) will pass this.
How the tabloids churn this information out is another matter...

l3LoWnA

DaveMcG wrote: »

Really tragic story... the whole f*cking family...

God imagine being one of the grannies in that family. Your child and grandchildren all dead in one go.

Horrendous.

Does anybody else find it strange that "dave" imagines beings one of the grannies rather than one of the grandads?!?


Back on topic - heard the PSNI have more or less confirmed that the Father is now their only suspect! It's so sad! Sad for all extended families (both sides) and so sad to think of those wee childrens' last few hours/minutes and of course the wifes' last few horus (if it was indeed the husband who killed them all!) God love them all!

l3LoWnA

shanksmare wrote: »

why the father? why did your hunch not also consider the mother?

It has since, obviously, you'd imagine every different possibility, including the mother, the 13 year old....etc. But I was just saying my initial automatic presumption (which is usually right because I'm me! :P ) was to think it was the father.

shanksmare

'tis just interesting that men/fathers who carry out these apalling acts tend to get much different (ie harsher) treatment (particularly in the media) than when a woman/mother does.

hot fuss

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1115/omagh.html

moco

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=85987&pt=n

whiskeyman

moco wrote: »

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=85987&pt=n

I guess the tabloids will love this...

whiskeyman

whiskeyman wrote: »

I guess the tabloids will love this...

The story was on the front page of the Irish Times, Irish Independent and the Examiner.
It was also the lead story on UTV news, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TV3.
It's a massive story for every media outlet.

moco

Deleted User wrote: »

The story was on the front page of the Irish Times, Irish Independent and the Examiner.
It was also the lead story on UTV news, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TV3.
It's a massive story for every media outlet.

Yep. I don't think there's any doubt he did it at this stage.

TequilaMockingBird

I think if the father did it, then he was quite obviously very ill.

Its an utter tragedy for all involved.

mikemac

So he was a sex offender.
That might nearly be irrelevant in this case but the papers will destroy him tomorrow.
In fact, it just shows he was ill before and needed help, and I ain't no bleeding heart.

Forensics are pretty advanced for cases like this. Sure they must get plently of practice in arson cases where they can trace the cause of the fire (arson, electrical, any accelerants, etc) so if the PSNI say he did it, then I have no problems believing it.

Ste.phen

sueme wrote: »

I think if the father did it, then he was quite obviously very ill.

Its an utter tragedy for all involved.

Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

Mrs. MacGyver

Tis awful the way things like this can become sensationalised. Let the remainding members of the family get on with their grief and bury their dead. There is nothing achieved by bringing up the past history of the father. It is a very sad event indeed and my sympathy goes out to those left behind. Its beyond the realm of reason to try to understand.

NKtile

Surely this is not what internet is for ?

For idle chat and gossip over death of seven people?

Sure lets all talk bollocks and amuse ourselves onother posts, but ultimately why discuss this with strangers? (which is what we are with each other)

Boards is mostly about chat,gossip,and nonsense, and not in a bad way, but for anyone to start moralising,judging or plain guessing on real life current day horrors just up the road from us is not right in my opinion.

passive

Wrong thread there buddy, this one's been inactive for over a month.

Jesus Wept

NKtile wrote: »

Surely this is not what internet is for ?

For idle chat and gossip over death of seven people?

Sure lets all talk bollocks and amuse ourselves onother posts, but ultimately why discuss this with strangers? (which is what we are with each other)

Boards is mostly about chat,gossip,and nonsense, and not in a bad way, but for anyone to start moralising,judging or plain guessing on real life current day horrors just up the road from us is not right in my opinion.

Thought Police?
Take on all the national newspapers too, they sell gossip. It's free here.

Use the report post button if you think any posts break the rules.
The mods are careful to moderate breaking news stories so people stay respectful and to avoid any possible liable.

Mossy Monk

You remind me of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

simu

People are curious about it and they want to make sense of it... even if some deal with it by joking. Would you rather they bury their heads in the sand and ignore all bad events?

NKtile

nah, i'm not saying for one second anyone s post should is wrong and should be looked at by moderators or anything.

Just think there is no need to join in the faults of national press and speculate wildly or even discuss as idle banter. Not having a go at anyone.

MagicMarker

NKtile wrote: »

nah, i'm not saying for one second anyone s post should is wrong and should be looked at by moderators or anything.

Just think there is no need to join in the faults of national press and speculate wildly or even discuss as idle banter. Not having a go at anyone.

Have you ever shared thoughts and opinions with your fellow man? What? You have?.....




BURN HIM!!!!!!!!!!

*edit* or her.