Northern Ireland

Neighbours rescue man in wheelchair after Antrim arson attacks spreads to other properties

Police believe that the blaze was started deliberately at the door of one apartment

Detectives in Antrim are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at a property in the town in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 13th August. Detective Inspector Lenaghan said: “Shortly before 1am, police attended a fire in the Durnish Road area, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Detectives in Antrim are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at a property in the town in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 13th August. Detective Inspector Lenaghan said: “Shortly before 1am, police attended a fire in the Durnish Road area, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
By Caoimhe Quinn McCullough

A man in a wheelchair has been rescued from a blaze that spread to several dwellings in Antrim overnight.

Police are treating the fire, at flats in the Durnish Road area of Antrim, as arson with intent to endanger life.

One resident in a nearby property told the Irish News they managed to get his friend out of the neighbouring flat before the firefighters arrived.

“My neighbour knocked my door at around midnight and told me the flats at the top of the street were on fire.

“I didn’t realise what was happening and then I came out and saw the blaze was already well up into the roof.

“My friend lives in the bottom flat and is in a wheelchair so I rushed to make sure he was out of the property. He’s a stubborn ... and didn’t want to go but we got him out in the end before the fire service arrived. He’s said he’s in hospital so he’s probably having his lungs checked and that.

“When the firefighters arrived they turned the hose on the blaze and some of the neighbouring properties but thankfully no one was injured.

“It’s a quiet area I honestly don’t know why it happened.”

Detectives in Antrim are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at a property in the town in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 13th August. Detective Inspector Lenaghan said: “Shortly before 1am, police attended a fire in the Durnish Road area, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Detectives in Antrim are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at a property in the town in the early hours of Tuesday. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

Emergency services attended the scene shortly before 1am on Tuesday morning and significant damage was caused to the property, including a collapsed roof.

Police said the property was unoccupied at the time and there are no reports of any injuries.

Police believe that the blaze was started deliberately at the door of the property.

Officers remained at the scene on Tuesday morning.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We are treating this incident as arson with intent to endanger life, and officers remain at the scene this morning, as our investigation to establish the circumstances gets underway. “

I am appealing to anyone who might be able to assist us in any way with our enquiries to get in touch via 101, quoting reference number 39 of 13/08/24.”

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/