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Woman and child flee arson attack Woman and child flee arson attack
(about 1 hour later)
A woman and her 10-year-old son have been targeted in an arson attack in Londonderry. A woman whose Londonderry home was targeted by arsonists has said it is the third such attack.
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 the home in Harty Court, at Ballymagroarty, and set alight.
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. Jennifer McCann and her 10-year-old son were woken up by their pet dog and rescued by firefighters. They were treated for smoke inhalation.
District commander Willie Lynch said the blaze could have been fatal. Two people have been arrested.District commander Willie Lynch said the blaze could have been fatal. Two people have been arrested.
Mr Lynch said firefighters were at the scene within minutes of getting the call at about 0430 BST on Saturday. Mr Lynch said firefighters were at the scene within minutes of getting the call at 0430 BST on Saturday.
"We were called by the occupants who said they were trapped upstairs," he said."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 they couldn'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 was too frightened to go down the ladder. Mr Lynch said the boy was rescued through his bedroom window, whilst Ms McCann and the dog were taken downstairs.
Once the fire was put out, the mother and the dog were taken down the stairs and out through the front door. He said the smoke alarm going off gave them "the vital minutes to ring us".
"What saved the day for this mother and child was their smoke alarm," Mr Lynch said. "Getting that time, we were able to get in and get them out."
"That's what woke them up and gave them the vital minutes to ring us. Damage has been confined to the front door and porch area, but much of the furniture has been damaged by smoke.
"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 could have been a different outcome."
The PSNI are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the attack to contact them.The PSNI are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the attack to contact them.