Residents are lucky to be alive after ‘sinister’ fires
RESIDENTS at two homes targeted in a suspected double arson attack are “lucky to be alive,” Sinn Fein has said.
The fires caused serious damage to the properties on the New Lodge Road yesterday morning.
North Belfast MLA Caral Ni Chuilin said: “The fires occurred at maisonettes on the lower New Lodge Road this morning, causing extensive damage to the homes.
“People are lucky to be alive, but thankfully due to working smoke alarms in the homes, no one has been seriously hurt.
“Police and forensic teams on the scene have informed local residents that the fires are being treated as sinister.
❝ We are lucky not to be dealing with serious injuries or death as result of this reckless action
“While it is unclear how this has happened, it is clear is that someone could have died as a result.
“I am working with the Housing Executive and local residents to ensure that the people affected are rehoused in adequate accommodation as soon as possible.”
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said crews attended the two incidents.
They added: “The first call was received at 6.03am to a fire in a ground floor flat.
“The fire was already out on arrival of the fire crews.
“A search of the building was completed and all people were accounted for.
“The cause of the fire was de- liberate and PSNI attended the incident.
“NIFRS l ef t t he s cene at
6.39am.
“A second call, to a different flat within the same building, was received at 7.14am.
“The call was received as a car- bon monoxide alarm sounding in a flat on the first floor.”
Police said both flats were unoccupied at the time of the incident but a woman in an adjoining flat was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
Detective i nspector Denis McGaffin said: “We are lucky not to be dealing with serious injuries or death as a result of this reckless action.
“A robust investigation has now commenced and I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the incidents or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives in Musgrave on 101 quoting reference 159 14/08/18.”