It is difficult to imagine a more reckless and chilling act than deliberately setting fire to an oil tank close to a block of flats in the middle of the night while people slept.
Thankfully, the flats at Bracken Avenue in Newcastle, Co Down, were fitted with working smoke alarms which alerted residents to the blaze early yesterday.
As a result, all got out safely although a number of homes were badly damaged. Among those evacuated were elderly residents and this was a traumatic and frightening ordeal for all those affected.
The fire service said this was a serious blaze and it is only by sheer good fortune that no one was killed or badly injured.
The fact that up to 50 firefighters were required to tackle the fire gives some idea of just how ferocious it was.
Police are now investigating a possible link with three other recent fires in Newcastle, two involving oil tanks.
One took place in the Bracken Avenue area in September but because the oil tank contained only a small amount of fuel, it was quickly brought under control by the fire service.
It is deeply worrying to think that someone, perhaps more than one person, is going around Newcastle setting oil tanks on fire.
It does not take much imagination to consider the potentially catastrophic consequences of such a criminally irresponsible act.
This time it is property which has been destroyed, next time it could be a life.
Clearly, it is vital the police make swift progress on apprehending whoever is engaged in these offences and anyone with information must come forward as a matter of urgency.
Yesterday's terrifying incident should also act as a reminder to every householder to make sure they have a working smoke alarm fitted in their home.
