A suspected “racially motivated” arson attack in Belfast in the early hours of Saturday morning is under investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service responded to the fire at about 2.45am at an old gospel hall on the Shankill Road.
Police subsequently determined that the fire had been caused by “deliberate ignition” of the roof, with Supt Finola Dornan describing the building as having been “totally gutted by the blaze”.
Police said they were investigating the incident following a report of “racially motivated arson”.
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The building was out of use but had been bought by “legitimate businesspeople who would have brought jobs to the local community”, Dornan said.
“As with any crime motivated by hate”, Dornan said, the PSNI will be providing those affected with an enhanced level of supervision, investigation and support.
Detectives had begun carrying out inquiries, and the local community would see a police presence on Saturday, she added.
“We do not underestimate the impact hate-related crimes have on victims, their families and wider communities.
“While we have a key role to play in tackling, preventing and supporting victims of hate incidents and hate crimes, this is a wider societal issue which cannot be resolved by policing alone.”
