Top of the Hill fire victim remains 'critical'

George Boyle, aged 74, sustained severe burns when he tried to rescue his two dogs from his burning Rose Court home in the Waterside on Tuesday, September 14.

He was rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital but thereafter transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where as the Sentinel went to press on Tuesday a spokesperson described his condition as critical.

Mr Boyle is a well-known pigeon fancier and dog lover and formerly worked at the Milanda/Mother's Pride bakery in the Glen for many years.

Local Sinn Fin councillor Lynn Fleming described the horrific scene as Mr Boyle's neighbours reacted to what is thought to have been an accidental blaze.

She said: "The man was in flames when he came out of the house. The neighbours next door got him into their garden and they were throwing buckets of water round him before they could even deal with him."

"Residents said he was saying that he needed to look for his dogs. The house is completely gutted. It is amazing he even got out."