Family died from smoke inhalation

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Post-mortem results showed the initial cause of death, after the terraced home in Omagh, County Tyrone, was doused in petrol and set alight on Tuesday morning.

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry, with the father of the family, Arthur McElhill, as the chief suspect.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said: "The post-mortem examinations of all seven bodies has been completed. The results indicate that the initial cause of death was smoke inhalation. Police inquiries will be continuing."

The remains were removed from the charred rubble on Thursday after days spent combing the area for forensic clues.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after petrol was discovered inside the house.

The victims included Mr McElhill's partner Lorraine McGovern and their children aged between 13 years and 10 months.

Witnesses described watching helplessly as the parents attempted to smash an upstairs bedroom window before they were overcome and the house exploded like a bonfire.

St Conor's primary school, next door to the Lammy Crescent scene, reopened on Friday. Children Sean, seven, and Bellina, four, were pupils. The eldest of the children, Caroline, attended the nearby Sacred Heart College.

A prayer vigil was held as the remains were removed.