Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOUSE TORCHED IN WHEELIE BIN ARSON
Residents forced to flee homes after ‘reckless act’
AN arson attack drove residents from their homes over the weekend, it has emerged.
A wheelie bin was set alight inside a property in the Fairway area of Larne, Co Antrim, at around 9.15pm on Saturday.
Considerable damage was caused by the blaze, which police have branded a “reckless act”.
Detectives in Ballymena investigating the attack have appealed for witnesses and information.
PSNI Insp Patrick Mullan said: “It was reported a wheelie bin had been placed in the living room of the property and set alight.
“Police attended along with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the blaze.
“Residents from a number of neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution and, thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries.
“Considerable damage was caused by the blaze and the NIFRS has declared this fire as deliberate so we are treating it as arson.
“This was a totally reckless act and we’re fortunate not to be dealing with injuries or fatalities today.
“An investigation is now underway and I want to appeal to anyone who was in the Fairway area of Larne on Saturday night at around 9.15pm and who saw any suspicious activity to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1321 of 08/12/18.
“Alternatively information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”