By Q Radio News
A woman has escaped injury following an arson attack in Newtownards.
A window of a property on Abbot Drive was smashed at around 12.20am this morning and a car set on fire outside.
The blaze spread to the house causing extensive damage to the front door and windows.
A PSNI spokesperson said officers and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service crews attended the scene after a report was made around 12:20am.
"NIFRS extinguished the car fire, which left the vehicle completed gutted, and which had also spread to the property. Extensive damage was caused to the front of the house, including its front door and windows," they said.
Detective Sergeant Westbury added: "Fortunately, the female resident present at the time escaped uninjured, and no damage was caused to any neighbouring properties.
"However, this could easily have resulted in serious injury, or worse, and we are thankful for the quick actions of the NIFRS in dealing with the blaze.
"Enquiries are underway, which we are treating as arson, and we are working to establish what happened and why.
"I am appealing to anyone who was in the area, and who saw or who heard anything suspicious around 12:20am to call us. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 75 of 30/05/21."
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