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Pair have 'lucky escape' in arson Pair have 'lucky escape' in arson
(10 minutes later)
A woman and her 10-year-old son are lucky to be alive after an arson attack in Londonderry, a fire officer has said.A woman and her 10-year-old son are lucky to be alive after an arson attack in Londonderry, a fire officer has said.
Flammable liquid was poured through the letter box of their home in Harty Court, at Ballymagroarty, and then lit.Flammable liquid was poured through the letter box of their home in Harty Court, at Ballymagroarty, and then lit.
The pair were woken up by a smoke alarm and fire crews rescued them and their pet dog. The mother and child were treated for smoke inhalation.The pair were woken up by a smoke alarm and fire crews rescued them and their pet dog. The mother and child were treated for smoke inhalation.
District commander Willie Lynch said the blaze could have been fatal.District commander Willie Lynch said the blaze could have been fatal.
He said firefighters were at the scene within minutes of getting the call at about 0430 BST on Saturday.He said firefighters were at the scene within minutes of getting the call at about 0430 BST on Saturday.
"We were called by the occupants who said they were trapped upstairs," hesaid. "We were called by the occupants who said they were trapped upstairs," he said.
What saved the day for this mother and child was their smoke alarm Willie LynchFire officerWhat saved the day for this mother and child was their smoke alarm Willie LynchFire officer
"When we arrived the fire was in the hallway directly below the stairs so theycouldn't get out. "When we arrived the fire was in the hallway directly below the stairs so they couldn't get out.
"The house was completely smoke logged at the time.""The house was completely smoke logged at the time."
Mr Lynch said the boy was rescued through his bedroom window but his mother wastoo frightened to go down the ladder. Mr Lynch said the boy was rescued through his bedroom window but his mother was too frightened to go down the ladder.
Once the fire was put out, the mother and the dog were taken down the stairs and out throughthe front door. Once the fire was put out, the mother and the dog were taken down the stairs and out through the front door.
"What saved the day for this mother and child was their smoke alarm," MrLynch said. "What saved the day for this mother and child was their smoke alarm," Mr Lynch said.
"That's what woke them up and gave them the vital minutes to ring us."That's what woke them up and gave them the vital minutes to ring us.
"Getting that time, we were able to get in and get them out."Getting that time, we were able to get in and get them out.
"At that time of the night they would have been upstairs asleep and it couldhave been a different outcome." "At that time of the night they would have been upstairs asleep and it could have been a different outcome."
The PSNI are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the areaaround the time of the attack to contact them. Two people have been arrested.
The PSNI are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the attack to contact them.