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Two people in critical condition after 'cruel' arson | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Police officers rescued a man and a women, along with two children from the house | Police officers rescued a man and a women, along with two children from the house |
Two people are in a critical condition following a fire at a house in Dungannon. | Two people are in a critical condition following a fire at a house in Dungannon. |
Police officers rescued a man aged 37 and 70-year-old woman along with two children, aged seven and 10, from the house in Cunninghams Lane on Monday night. The children are in a stable condition. | Police officers rescued a man aged 37 and 70-year-old woman along with two children, aged seven and 10, from the house in Cunninghams Lane on Monday night. The children are in a stable condition. |
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after being found on the roof of the house. | A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after being found on the roof of the house. |
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said police are not currently treating the incident as a hate crime. | |
'Mindless cruelty' | |
The fire was started deliberately, police said | |
Eight Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers were treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation but were later discharged. | |
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Singleton praised the officers' bravery, and said were it not for their actions, lives would have been lost. | |
He added the fire was started deliberately. | |
"It's hard to comprehend the mindless cruelty of this act, and the panic and fear caused to those in the home," he said. | |
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton praised the officers who helped rescue the victims of Monday's arson attack | |
He confirmed that officers responded to a report of children trapped in a house just after 20:30 GMT on Monday. | |
Police were the first emergency responders on site, at which point the fire was well alight, he added. | |
Two ladders were then obtained from nearby properties, and officers rescued two adults and two children, including an unresponsive 70-year-old woman. | |
"The adults remain in a critical condition in hospital today, while the children, thankfully, as we understand are presenting in a stable condition," Dep Ch Cons Singleton said. | |
He said he was aware of images and videos of the incident are circulating online, and urged people to not share it. | |
"It's hard to comprehend the mindless cruelty of this act," says Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton | |
Earlier, Supt Peter Stevenson said a fifth person, who was found on the roof, was brought to safety. He was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody. | |
Supt Stevenson said he was extremely proud of the eight officers, and all their thoughts are with those who remain in hospital. | Supt Stevenson said he was extremely proud of the eight officers, and all their thoughts are with those who remain in hospital. |
"We want to thank the residents of Cunninghams Lane for their assistance with this terrible incident, which was undoubtedly traumatic for all involved," he added. | "We want to thank the residents of Cunninghams Lane for their assistance with this terrible incident, which was undoubtedly traumatic for all involved," he added. |
"The community will continue to see the presence of the emergency services in the area, as we proceed with our investigation into the cause of this fire." | "The community will continue to see the presence of the emergency services in the area, as we proceed with our investigation into the cause of this fire." |
Children crying for help | |
Cadalia Freitas, who lives in the area, rang emergency services when the alarm was raised | |
Cadalia Freitas was in her home nearby when her brother, who had left to go to work, raised the alarm. | |
She called the police before rushing to the house, where Ms Freitas heard children crying for help. Police arrived soon after. | |
She directed an officer with a ladder to the window, who helped rescue them. | |
Ms Freitas said she was "scared" and "traumatised" after witnessing the incident, and struggled to sleep as she smoke in the area made her cough. | |
'Cold light of day' | 'Cold light of day' |
Police said the "terrible incident was undoubtedly traumatic for all involved" | |
David Thompson, principal of Dungannon Primary School, told BBC News NI that the two children attended his school. | |
"We just think of the trauma that those children have gone through," he said. | |
"As a school community we want to get the message out there that we will be with those families to help and support them." | |
At the scene: Niall McCracken, Mid-Ulster reporter | At the scene: Niall McCracken, Mid-Ulster reporter |
There is still the smell of smoke in the air on Tuesday morning in the Cunninghams Lane area of Dungannon. | There is still the smell of smoke in the air on Tuesday morning in the Cunninghams Lane area of Dungannon. |
In the cold light of day, the full extent of the damage caused by the house fire can now be seen. | In the cold light of day, the full extent of the damage caused by the house fire can now be seen. |
Black scorch marks are etched on to the exterior walls and there is a broken upstairs window, with a ladder still perched on it. It was used to rescue those inside. | Black scorch marks are etched on to the exterior walls and there is a broken upstairs window, with a ladder still perched on it. It was used to rescue those inside. |
A police car and police cordon remain at the scene. | A police car and police cordon remain at the scene. |
The local primary school is just around the corner. Dozens of school children have been walking past the cordon starting at the aftermath of the fire. | The local primary school is just around the corner. Dozens of school children have been walking past the cordon starting at the aftermath of the fire. |
Councillor Clement Cuthbertson praised the bravery of the police officers | Councillor Clement Cuthbertson praised the bravery of the police officers |
Democratic Unionist Party councillor Clement Cuthbertson said: "There were a number of videos of the fire on social media, and to be honest they were horrific. | Democratic Unionist Party councillor Clement Cuthbertson said: "There were a number of videos of the fire on social media, and to be honest they were horrific. |
He praised the brave actions of the police officers who managed to get the people out of the house before the fire brigade arrived. | He praised the brave actions of the police officers who managed to get the people out of the house before the fire brigade arrived. |
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Varsani said she hoped that everyone caught up in the blaze was now safe. | |
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it despatched six emergency crews, one hazardous response team, two paramedics and an ambulance officer. | The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it despatched six emergency crews, one hazardous response team, two paramedics and an ambulance officer. |
Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 12 patients were taken, by ambulance, to Craigavon Area Hospital. | Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 12 patients were taken, by ambulance, to Craigavon Area Hospital. |