Arson theory after Derry fireman badly burned

A hotel blaze in Derry which left a firefighter critically ill is believed to have been started deliberately.

A hotel blaze in Derry which left a firefighter critically ill is believed to have been started deliberately.

Northern Ireland Fire Service said it believed the fire at Gorteen House Hotel, in Limavady, was the result of an arson attack.

The fireman was badly burned as he fell through the roof of a storeroom at the back of the property in the early hours of Saturday. He remains in a critical condition.

Six of his colleagues were injured as they went to his aid. All of the officers were taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry but six of them have since been discharged.

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Chief fire officer Mr Colin Lammey said the service had launched an investigation into the incident which occurred at around 2 a.m. yesterday.

"Any incident in which a firefighter is injured is serious and my thoughts at this time are with the injured firefighters and their families," he added.

Meanwhile, the fire crews attended to more than 500 calls during the Halloween celebrations.

Several officers were injured while responding to calls relating to bonfires in County Armagh.

In Bessbrook, a crowd of youths smashed the windscreen of a fire engine attending one blaze, while fire crews had to turn back after facing angry crowds in Newtownhamilton and Keady.

The attacks were condemned by assistant chief fire officer Mr Peter Craig.

"It's disappointing to have to report that once again our firefighters, who were out there trying to serve the community and protect the community, have come under needless attack," he said.