MLA calls for '˜calm' after arson attack at new home in Ballinderry

A couple whose home in Ballinderry was damaged by a fire, which completely destroyed their car, only moved into the property a few weeks ago, according to Mid Ulster MLA, Patsy McGlone, who has condemned the incident.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2016, 13:45 BST
Updated 5th Aug 2016, 15:30 BST
The brand new house which was damaged by fire in Ballinderry. The car, a Mercedes, was completely destroyed in the arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.The brand new house which was damaged by fire in Ballinderry. The car, a Mercedes, was completely destroyed in the arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The brand new house which was damaged by fire in Ballinderry. The car, a Mercedes, was completely destroyed in the arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Police say the Mercedes vehicle had flamable liquid thrown over it and was set alight at around 1am on Wednesday in the Ballinderry Bridge Road area.

The MAIL understands the couple living in the house in the Killetra development heard a bang at around 12.30am on Wednesday and looked out to see smoke coming from their home and car.

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Mr McGlone, SDLP Assembly Member for the area, has visited the site of the incident and met with police and families living in the new housing development.

It is understood grafitti was spray painted on a fence at the development recently.

Patsy McGlone told the MAIL: “In the first instance, I would outrightly condemn what has happened here. People could have been killed.

“It is time to calm things down and certainly I have been in touch with police, and the housing association, Triangle Housing, which owns these houses. I will be following this up with further meetings and I have met with police on the site to discuss community concerns in the area.

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“Police have told me they will be maintaining a presence in the area.”

No one was injured in the incident, and Detective Inspector Will Tate, from Cookstown Reactive and Organised Crime, is asking anyone with information to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 50 04/08/16.

Alternatively information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related topics:Police