One person escapes injury in Ballymena arson attack

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

One person has escaped injury following an arson attack at an apartment block in Co Antrim.

Detectives are appealing for information following the incident in Ballymena.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Just after 6.30pm on Saturday, police received a report from our colleagues at Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service that they were attending a fire at a residential property in the Warden Square area of the town.

“Officers attended and noted that a fire had been started deliberately in the bedroom of the property, causing extensive damage to that room.

“One person were present in the property at the time but, thankfully, no injuries were reported. ”

The spokesperson added: “We are treating this attack as arson with intent to endanger life.

“The fire was set in a block of apartments, and the consequences of this act could have been much more serious.

“Our inquiries are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who may be able to assist with our investigation, particularly anyone with CCTV, dashcam or other relevant footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 1386 of 14/09/24.”