Couple flee flat after suspected arson attack

A couple had an 'incredibly lucky' escape after they were forced to flee a suspected arson attack in Ballycastle at the weekend.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Nov 2016, 09:36 BST

Updated 1st Nov 2016, 21:25 BST

The scene of the fire at Ballycastle on Saturday. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY/MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA

The man and woman were caught up in a fire at a flat at Broombeg around 1.50am on Saturday.

They escaped by climbing out of the first- floor window on to a porch.

John Bacon, Coleraine District Commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are investigating the cause of the fire at the moment, but we believe it to be deliberate. The couple were very fortunate that they have working smoke alarms in the premises and the fire wasn’t able to develop to the point where they possibly wouldn’t have been able to escape.”

Police are investigating the suspected arson incident in which damage was caused to the front door and stairwell of the property.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives in Coleraine on 101.