Coroner's 'locked door' concerns

The men were staying in the Morning Star hostel

Padlocked doors on a west Belfast hostel where two homeless men died in a fire could have led to an even bigger loss of life, an inquest has heard.

Hugo Brannigan, 62, and Jim Irvine, 32, were killed in the blaze at the Morning Star hostel, run by the Legion of Mary, on Divis Street in the city, in February 2002.

Mr Brannigan and Mr Irvine were found by fire officers using breathing apparatus.

It was believed that Mr Brannigan might have died after trying to save Mr Irvine, who had a broken leg and was on crutches.

On Thursday, Belfast coroner John Leckey expressed concerns after fire officers were unable to confirm when the last safety checks were carried out on the shelter.

The inquest heard the front door of the building was padlocked when the blaze broke out, as was the back door, another potential escape route.

Mr Leckey adjourned the hearing until he could establish who owned the hostel, when the Fire Brigade last carried out an inspection and whether he needed to refer the case to the DPP.

It is understood the case could be held within four weeks.

He said earlier in the proceedings that it would have been almost impossible for Mr Irvine to make it to a first floor exit, as his leg was in plaster and he had to sleep on the ground floor.

He said: "We have seen reports from the continent where night clubs have gone up in flames, doors have been bolted and people unable to get out causing tremendous loss of life.

"That potential might have been in there in this hostel."

This assessment was supported by David McDonald, a firefighter who attended the blaze.

Investigations have found that the blaze was most likely caused by an unextinguished cigarette setting bedclothes on fire.

The coroner added: "The principal fact is that both the front and rear doors were locked and could not be opened by residents in the inside.

"Mr Irvine was in the dreadful position that the nearest working exit was on the first floor."