The man who died after a house fire in Co Antrim on Wednesday has been named locally as Kevin Laverty.
Five firefighters were injured after a blaze swept through the 58-year-old’s home at Carlane Road, near Toome, at around 8pm.
Mr Laverty is from a well-known GAA family in the area and his nephew James is a member of the Antrim senior football squad.
His brother Gerard is the current chairman of Erin’s Own GAC, Cargin.
Mr Laverty, who was not married, worked as a truck driver for a local firm.
It is understood Mr Laverty alerted his brother after the fire broke out at the farmhouse who then rushed to the scene as the tragedy unfolded.
Local Sinn Féin councillor Henry Cushinan, who knew the deceased, arrived at the scene shortly after the blaze.
“He was a quiet fellow from a well-respected family and my thoughts are with the family,” he said.
“It’s a tragedy.”
“I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services for the effort they made.”
A spokesman for the Fire Service said that “firefighters encountered a severe fire on the first floor” when they arrived.
Rescuers braved intense heat and “heavily smoke logged conditions” to reach Mr Laverty who was then carried to the ground floor where was treated by medics.
Despite their efforts he died later at Antrim Area Hospital.
Four fire fighters who suffered minor burns were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel.
A fifth was taken to hospital with concussion due to fallen debris inside the house.
He was held overnight and later discharged.
A spokesman said: “The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be subject to investigation, in liaison with the PSNI."
