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Racial link to flat fire probed Racial link to flat fire probed
(10 minutes later)
Police believe a suspicious fire at a block of flats in south Belfast may have been racially motivated.Police believe a suspicious fire at a block of flats in south Belfast may have been racially motivated.
Fire crews used ladders to rescue six people trapped in the upstairs flats at the property, on Eglantine Avenue, at about 0200 GMT.Fire crews used ladders to rescue six people trapped in the upstairs flats at the property, on Eglantine Avenue, at about 0200 GMT.
Fire crews found a burning mattress on the ground floor of the property, which is a house converted into six flats on three floors.Fire crews found a burning mattress on the ground floor of the property, which is a house converted into six flats on three floors.
A number of the residents are members of the Chinese community.A number of the residents are members of the Chinese community.
After the alarm was raised controllers from the Fire and Rescue Service advised those trapped what to do until the fire crews arrived.After the alarm was raised controllers from the Fire and Rescue Service advised those trapped what to do until the fire crews arrived.
Watch commander Ashley Jeffries said it was fortunate that fire alarms were working at the flats, otherwise "we could have been talking about fatalities".Watch commander Ashley Jeffries said it was fortunate that fire alarms were working at the flats, otherwise "we could have been talking about fatalities".
"A mattress was located in the rear escape corridor - what seems to have been a lot of papers was placed on it so we are treating it as suspicious," he said."A mattress was located in the rear escape corridor - what seems to have been a lot of papers was placed on it so we are treating it as suspicious," he said.
The rescued people - including a family - were checked by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation and after treatment were allowed to stay with friends or relatives.The rescued people - including a family - were checked by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation and after treatment were allowed to stay with friends or relatives.
SDLP South Belfast assembly member Carmel Hannasaid it would be appalling if the fire was started deliberately. The Alliance Party's Anna Lo said she was "shocked and disgusted" by the incident.
"I am appalled at the apparent arson attack in Eglantine Avenue which, were it not for the good work of the fire and rescue service, could have led to the multiple loss of life, of up to six people. "There appears to be a very sinister element to this incident and the authorities have been examining the scene.
"This fire seems very suspicious and, if it does turn out to be malicious, it is yet another sign of the rampant criminality in south Belfast," she said. "We need to find out whether this arson attack was racially motivated," she said.
SDLP South Belfast assembly member Carmel Hannasaid she was outraged by it.
"As an SDLP MLA I believe that south Belfast should be an integrated and pluralist society where people from all cultures should be able to live together.
"It is totally unacceptable that any section of the community should be victimised in such a cruel way," she said.