A fire at a Co Antrim bar and restaurant complex is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.
The blaze was reported in the early hours of Wednesday at the Railway Bar and Steam Dining restaurant in the Ballyclare Road area of Newtownabbey.
Significant damage has been caused to the premises, which in recent months had rebranded with a menu serving south Asian cuisine including Indian and Nepalese dishes.
Graffiti stating ‘Muslims out’ was also scrawled on the wall of the premises.
Firefighters worked throughout the early hours after the fire was reported shortly before 2am, only leaving the scene at around 8am.
The fire is understood to have reignited later on Wednesday, with police keeping part of the Ballyclare Road closed as the fire was again dealt with.
The road reopened on Wednesday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the NI Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used six jets and two hose reels to extinguish the blaze, adding: “The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.”
They added: “Police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 68 21/08/24.”
The arson is the latest in a spate of racially motivated hate crimes in the north being investigated by police, following disorder in Belfast earlier this month linked to an anti-immigrant demonstration.
North Belfast Sinn Féin MP John Finucane described the attack as “absolutely sickening and deplorable”.
“This business operates to serve our community and employ workers. It is totally unacceptable that it has been targeted in this way,” he said.
“These disgusting and disgraceful attacks which are fuelled by racism, hatred and discrimination have no place in our inclusive and forward-looking society.
“Those intent on causing hate and stirring up division must face the full force of the law, and I would appeal to anyone who may have information on this incident to bring it forward to police.”
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron said: “There can be no justification for attacking any property and particularly for the sinister graffiti that was sprayed onto the building.
The owners of the restaurant have been working hard to build up their business and contribute to the local community. Their efforts are a world away from those with nothing to offer but hate, destruction and chaos.”
