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Family escape injury in Newtownards sectarian arson attack | Family escape injury in Newtownards sectarian arson attack |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman and her three children have been rescued from their burning house after they were targeted by arsonists in Lenamore Park, Newtownards. | |
PSNI officers and a neighbour climbed onto a roof to bring the family to safety shortly after 02:00 BST. | |
Police believe a sectarian motive was behind the fire. It is the third attack on the family in recent weeks. | |
Officers investigating the series of attacks have arrested a 32-year-old woman on suspicion of intimidation. | |
'Reckless' | 'Reckless' |
Speaking about the arson, a police spokesman said no-one was injured but the family were badly shaken by the ordeal. | |
The family was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm. | |
The children, aged between two and 12, were rescued from an upstairs bathroom window. | |
Their 38-year-old mother was led from the house by fire officers. | |
PSNI Area Commander Michael McDonald said: "This was a particularly reckless and cowardly attack which could have had more serious consequences than fortunately we have. | PSNI Area Commander Michael McDonald said: "This was a particularly reckless and cowardly attack which could have had more serious consequences than fortunately we have. |
"The presence of smoke alarms in the house undoubtedly gave the family the advanced warning they needed to allow them move away from the seat of the fire and most of the smoke. | "The presence of smoke alarms in the house undoubtedly gave the family the advanced warning they needed to allow them move away from the seat of the fire and most of the smoke. |
"I am also very proud of the quick reactions of my officers and the neighbour who helped them rescue the children and I would ask other members of the public from neighbouring properties to contact us with any information they may have or if they noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area, so that we might bring those responsible to justice." | "I am also very proud of the quick reactions of my officers and the neighbour who helped them rescue the children and I would ask other members of the public from neighbouring properties to contact us with any information they may have or if they noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area, so that we might bring those responsible to justice." |