Two escape injury following arson attack in Downpatrick

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Two people have escaped injury following an arson attack at a house in Co Down.

Detectives are appealing for information about the incident at around 1:50am on Saturday at the property in the Saul Street area of Downpatrick.

A PSNI spokesman said officers, as well as colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, attended the scene, where the front door of a house was on fire and a number of ground-floor windows were smashed.

Appeal for information following arson attack in Downpatrick. Details here: https://t.co/o1QAh7IreH pic.twitter.com/MZ2od5xoYB

— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 28, 2026

They added: “However, the two people who were in the property at the time of the attack were able to exit the house safely and no injuries were reported.

“This was obviously a shock for them, however, and there was significant damage caused to their home.”

Police said the incident is being treated as deliberate ignition and as arson with intent to endanger life.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 80 of 28/03/26.