Three women and a baby rescued from Belfast flats after suspected arson

By Robert Skates

Three women and a baby have been rescued from neighbouring flats in East Belfast after a suspected arson attack.

A member of the public alerted the emergency services after spotting the blaze in the early hours of this morning (Sat).

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service believe the fire started in the hall of the premises at Rosewood Park in Castlereagh.

Group Commander Brian Stanfield says their immediate plan was to get people to safety.

Detective Sergeant Kelly from the PSNI said: “A fire was reported to police about 1am and we attended the scene, along with other members of the emergency services.

“Accelerant had been poured on the front door and then set on fire, causing severe damage to it. There was no-one in the flat at the time but the NIFRS rescued three people and a child from neighbouring flats. 

“We are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life and would appeal for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to get in touch with detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 83 of 26/8/17.”