Shock as granny dies in brierfield fire

THE community around Brierfield are trying to come to terms with the tragic death of one of the most popular residents in the area, 87-year-old Nora Dolan-Wilson, in a horrific house fire on Monday night at the home she shared with her daughter and grandson.

Nora, a widow, moved back from England to retire over 15 years ago and built a new house in her home area, between Barnaderg and Moylough. Her daughter Caroline and teenage grandson Ryan lived with her. They were both taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, suffering from smoke inhalation following the blaze. Neighbours were alerted to the fire shortly after 10 o’clock on Monday night and units of the fire brigade from Mountbellew and Tuam as well as the Gardai were quickly on the scene. Several efforts were made by neighbours to rescue Nora from the burning building but they were beaten back by the flames and the smoke.