LARNE HOME GUTTED IN ARSON ATTACK COUPLE INSIDE HOUSE HAVE LUCKY ESCAPE
A LARNE councillor has warned someone could die in ongoing trouble following the latest arson attack in the area.
A man and woman in their 30s escaped injury after the torching of a home in the town’s Antiville estate.
The house was destroyed when a wheelie bin was set alight in the living room of the property.
Police were called to the scene shortly before 9.40pm by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
A report had been received of a wheelie bin being placed in the living room of the property at Fairway and ignited.
PSNI Inspector Patrick Mullan said: “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.”
Condemning the attack, DUP councillor Paul Reid said that there had been similar occurrences in the recent past.
“I thought that Larne had moved beyond that,” he added.
“We had a number of incidents where people’s houses were petrol-bombed and businesses attacked.
“There is no justification for this — somebody is going to get killed.
“There were people in this house when it was attacked.
“But for the grace of God, they could have been killed last night.”
The councillor, who is also a minister, said the attack didn’t just affect those targeted, but neighbours as well.
“I am very conscious that I have parishioners there with young families,” he added.
“They are very anxious about these type of attacks and arson, that it could easily spread fire to other homes.
“People want to get on with their lives.
“They don’t want to put chil- dren to bed, and then have to get them up and flee their homes because a house next door has been attacked and their property could go on fire too.
“If anyone has any information, I would plead with them to bring that information either to me or to the PSNI, so we can get these people before the courts.”
The PSNI has also appealed for information, either on the non-emergency 101 number or via the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.