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Woman and child flee arson attack | Woman and child flee arson attack |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman whose Londonderry home was targeted by arsonists has said it is the third such attack. | 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 the home in Harty Court, at Ballymagroarty, and set alight. | Flammable liquid was poured through the letter box of the home in Harty Court, at Ballymagroarty, and set alight. |
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. | 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 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 officer | What 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, whilst Ms McCann and the dog were taken downstairs. | Mr Lynch said the boy was rescued through his bedroom window, whilst Ms McCann and the dog were taken downstairs. |
He said the smoke alarm going off gave them "the vital minutes to ring us". | He said the smoke alarm going off 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." |
Damage has been confined to the front door and porch area, but much of the furniture has been damaged by smoke. | Damage has been confined to the front door and porch area, but much of the furniture has been damaged by smoke. |
Appeal | |
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. |
Meanwhile in east Belfast, detectives are trying to establish the motive for an arson attempt on a house. | |
A rag was set alight at the front door of the Park Avenue property shortly after 0730 BST on Saturday. | |
It caused minor damage before burning itself out, and a woman in her 30s who was in the house at the time was not hurt. | |
Detectives have appealed for information. |