A community is "numb" this morning after the death of a young child in a house fire yesterday.
Police confirmed late on Wednesday night that a girl, aged 12, sadly died following a fire at a house in Staffa Drive in Ballymena.
Chief Inspector William Calderwood said: "Police received a report of the fire at around 5:50pm. Tragically, the girl died at the scene.
"A man who was in the house was taken to hospital for treatment.
"The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be subject to investigation, in liaison with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
"There are no further details at this time."
TUV MLA Jim Allister said the incident was a "dreadful tragedy".
He added: "To now hear of this young girl’s death is devastating. The community rescue efforts were commendable but, alas, to no avail, in respect of the child."
Councillor Matthew Armstrong knows the child's family and sent his condolences.
"There are no words adequate to address the horror of this situation," he said.
"My heart goes out to the distraught and devastated family. I’ve no doubt the tight knit community in Ballykeel will rally round, but there is a void here which will never be filled."
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue were called to the house fire in Staffa Drive at 5.46pm on Wednesday evening.
Three fire appliances, two from Ballymena Fire Station and one from Antrim Fire Station, responded.
A spokesperson for NIFRS said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house, extinguished the fire and recovered the body of a 12 year old girl.
"The cause of the fire is under investigation.
"NIFRS tenders its sympathies to the family of this young girl on their tragic loss."
