The toddlers' bodies were found huddled behind a settee in the living room. Mary Jane, who was visiting the house with her mother at the time, came from Elm Street on Donegall Pass. Forensic experts were last night still examining the mid-terrace house where the fire rapidly took hold at 11am. After desperate rescue bids by neighbours were abandoned in the face of the intense blaze, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a jet hose to gain access to the burning building only to find the toddlers' bodies.
Officials are believe the fire was accidental.
It is understood that the women may have momentarily left the sitting room, during which time the fire broke out and quickly took hold, making it impossible to save the two children. Exact details of the circumstances have yet to be confirmed. One of the women was said to be in a comfortable condition in Belfast City Hospital last night, while the second woman and infant were treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital before being released. Yesterday, neighbours spoke of being alerted to the tragedy by the screams of the women after they were forced from the burning building. I rushed out and saw people gathering outside the house where the fire was.