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Murder arrest after businessman dies in house fire

Handout A man, wearing a black hoodie, black leather jacket and black hat. Handout
Patrick 'Paddy' Douglas died in hospital on Tuesday

A 34-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a man who died following a fire in Ballymoney, County Antrim.

Patrick 'Paddy' Douglas, a 55-year-old businessman, died in hospital on Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Main Street shortly before 07:00 BST on Tuesday.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building, put out the fire and removed a man from the building.

The picture shows a burnt-out brown-stone building with the glass missing one of the windows
The fire happened on Main Street on Tuesday morning

Speaking to BBC News NI, Abigail Spencer, who owns a business in Ballymoney, said she was in "total shock" to hear of Patrick Douglas' death.

"Paddy was kind, caring, funny, always had time for everybody around the town. He was never too busy to stop and have a conversation with you and a chat and a bit of craic," Ms Spencer said.

She said he was "such an important part of the community".

A woman, with long blond hair, standing in a room with grey walls. There is a black door behind her and a number of frames and a clock on the wall. She is wearing a black top with no sleeves. She has tattoos on her arms and glasses sitting atop her head.
Abigail Spencer says Patrick Douglas was "kind, caring and funny"

When asked what she thought when she heard police had launched a murder investigation, Ms Spencer said: "I think the whole community is in total shock about it. It's just not what you would associate with him.

"He's the nicest fella that you could have met about the town. He had time for everybody and was kind to everybody."

'A double shock for the community'

TUV MP for North Antrim, Jim Allister, said the launch of a murder investigation has come as a shock to many in the local community.

"It's the initial shock that someone could die in these circumstances -in what appeared to be a house fire - and then to discover there is what seems to be an alleged homicide," Allister said.

"It's a double shock for this community," he added.

A man, who is bald with a ginger beard, standing in front of a row of shops in a town centre. He is wearing glasses, a black t-shirt and a checked black and orange shirt. There is a police car parked on the road behind him.
Councillor Darryl Wilson says Patrick Douglas will be "very sadly missed"

Darryl Wilson, DUP councillor for Ballymoney, said there is a "deep sense of shock and sadness" in the community.

Patrick Douglas ran a tattoo business in the area for many years.

"Paddy was a very well-known, very well liked, very well respected businessman for many years in the town," Wilson said.

"He will be very, very sadly missed in the town and the town is still reeling from that shocking news earlier in the week.

"Our thoughts, the thoughts of the entire community, remain with Paddy's family, his closest friends and everybody who has been impacted by this awful, awful tragedy."

BBC News NI's Gráinne Connolly reports from the scene

Floral tributes have been laid outside the home of Patrick Douglas, who was known locally as Paddy, in Ballymoney where he died following the fire on Tuesday.

There was already a sense of sadness in the town after the news of Paddy's death but since it has been escalated to a murder investigation, there's now a sense of shock and disbelief.

A bouquet of flowers with a note reading "best of the best, true gentleman, will be so missed in town, RIP".
Floral tributes have been left on Main Street in Ballymoney

Some of the tributes described him as a "gentleman" who was the "best of the best" and will be missed in the town.

Others described him as a "beautiful soul" who left "memories" too beautiful to forget.

One police car remains outside the flat on Main Street.

A pile of flower bouquets left on a path outside a doorway. The grey door is open and part of a hallway is visible.
Some of tributes described Patrick Douglas as a "gentleman" who was the "best of the best"

Appeal for information

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

Shortly after Mr Douglas' death, DUP councillor Darryl Wilson said he was a "well-known and liked character from our town" and sent condolences to his "family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss".