Tributes have been paid to a “fire industry titan” after he died following a hit-and-run incident in Co Fermanagh.
Richard Maze (70) died after he was struck while on his motorcycle in the Boa Island Road area of Belleek on Thursday afternoon.
Police said a dark-coloured car failed to stop after the incident, with a 70-year-old man later arrested and charged with dangerous driving.
A keen motorcyclist and wildlife enthusiast, Mr Maze, from Lisburn, was a noted member of Northern Ireland’s Fire and Rescue Service having served with the organisation for over 30 years.
During his time in the organisation, he served as Divisional Fire and Safety Officer for the entirety of Northern Ireland, while his further career in fire safety consultancy took him all over the UK, as well as Africa and the Falkland Islands.
Mr Maze was best known for his work in leading the review into the Stormont fire in 1995, which completely destroyed the debating chamber and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
His work handling the response to the fire led him to create the Northern Ireland Crown Inspection Team, which examined the fire safety of government buildings and helped write the Fire Safety Standards for Northern Ireland.
Mr Maze through his expertise also contributed to fire service projects across the UK, including being a member of the fire service risk assessors register which led him to work on the review of high rise buildings in the UK following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
“Richard was at the top of his game, and a huge loss to us,” said Joseph Birt, the managing director of Fire Risk Solutions Northern Ireland where Mr Maze worked as a fire safety consultant.
“It’s a cliche, but when Richard walked into the room, he lit it up. He was such a positive person, with a spring in a step. He never seemed to have a bad day and was a great person to be around.
“He was a mentor, he loved sharing his vast knowledge with the team, he was a titan in the fire safety industry and they are the people who today are very broke about this news.
“Richard was also an avid motorcyclist, he loved riding his bike, every year he would take himself on trips all across Europe including touring the Alps.
“He will be missed dearly and is a huge loss to the community.”
Deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Robbie Butler, a former firefighter himself, who knew Mr Maze personally said his loss was “immense.”
“There are people in every career field who everyone holds up to high esteem and Richard was one of them. He was beloved by everyone and was known for his long and regarded career in the Fire Brigade as it was known at the time,” Mr Butler said.
“Richard was a very well-known and highly respected man, but even outside the Fire Service, that same respect was given to him in the wider community.
“It’s an immense loss, and my heart goes out to his friends, family and former colleagues who I know will miss him greatly.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “A 70-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failing to remain where the accident occurred causing injury, failing to report an accident whereby injury was caused and failing to stop where the accident occurred causing injury.
“He is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday 14th October. As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”