This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/5348420.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Homes damaged as arsonists strike Homes damaged as arsonists strike
(20 minutes later)
Three houses have been damaged and phone lines melted during two separate arson attacks on oil tanks at Shantallow in Londonderry. Three houses have been damaged and telephone lines melted during two separate arson attacks on oil tanks at Shantallow in Londonderry.
A fuel tank at Liscloon Drive was set on fire at around 0245 BST.A fuel tank at Liscloon Drive was set on fire at around 0245 BST.
Burning oil escaped from the tank damaging two homes, a telegraph pole and telephone lines. Station Commander Paul Coyle of the Fire and Rescue Service said the occupants of the house had a lucky escape.
A house and fence were also damaged in a similar attack when an oil tank was set on fire at Drumleck Drive shortly before midnight. A house and fence were also damaged in a similar arson attack at Drumleck Drive shortly before midnight.
Commander Coyle said "potentially serious injuries" to residents were only avoided because fire crews prevented the blaze at Liscloon Driver from "breaking to the house".
"Perhaps what people don't realise is that when any liquid fuel ignites, it can burn extremely intensely and very rapidly and obviously this produces a great deal of heat," he said.