Family escape after accelerant used in arson attack on flat
A YOUNG family were lucky to escape uninjured following a suspected arson attack at an apartment in a “tight-knit” residential estate.
Gardaí are trying to find a motive for the attack in the early hours of yesterday in the Sycamores estate in Waterford city.
An accelerant was used in the incident that caused a broken window and some smoke damage at the ground-floor apartment at about 1am.
A couple, both aged 27, and their eight-year-old child were forced to flee the apartment, but nobody was injured in the incident.
Former mayor of Waterford city Cllr Adam Wyse, who lives in that part of the city, described the attack on the house as “worrying” and said there had been a number of arson attacks in Waterford recently.
Superintendent Chris Delaney visited the scene yesterday morning and said a “significant” amount of damage had been caused by the fire.
“We are treating it as criminal,” he said. “It was some form of arson attempt.”
He confirmed that “some form of accelerant” was used by whoever was responsible.
Gardaí had carried out a forensic examination of the scene and were keeping “an open mind” on a motive for the attack, Supt Delaney said.
An incident room has been set up at the local Garda station.
“We’re looking at all avenues and we’re putting an appeal out for anyone with information to contact us,” Supt Delaney said.