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Consequences of a house fire in Stream Street in Newry in the early hours of this morning could have been catastrophic with the fire causing a leak in an external gas pipe. Police are appealing for witnesses and information after the fire service confirmed the fire was started deliberately.
Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: “Just after 4.40am today, Sunday 30th July, we received a report from our colleagues in Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service of a fire at a residential property in the Stream Street area.
“They confirmed that ignition was deliberate. Extensive damage was caused to the property, and the fire caused a leak in an external gas pipe.
“This was a serious fire, and the gas leak threatened the lives of the residents of the property and their neighbours. Thankfully, they were all evacuated safely, but if our Fire Service colleagues had not acted so swiftly the consequences of this fire could have been catastrophic."
Police are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life and they are appealing to anyone with information, or who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area, to get in touch.
You can contact them on 101, quoting reference number 427 of 30/07/23.
You can also make a report online using their non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk or, via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
