Blaze in Derry home set deliberately

A fire that damaged a home for the elderly in Derry on St Stephen's night was started deliberately, the Northern Ireland Fire Service has said.

Twenty-two residents, many wearing night clothes, were evacuated from the building in William Street after the fire was discovered shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Assistant divisional commander Mr Willie Lynch said fire crews were called to the scene after reports that piles of rubbish were burning near the building.

"I can confirm that it was started maliciously by youths who set fire to rubbish at the rear of the premises," he said.

The fire spread quickly to the roof and damaged a third of the residential home, which will be closed until repair work is completed.

The residents were taken to a nearby church hall and one woman was treated for shock in hospital but was later discharged.

The Foyle Health and Social Services Trust, which manages the home, has opened a facility at Waterside Hospital to house the elderly people over the holiday period.

The trust's chief executive, Ms Elaine Way, said she was "disappointed and angry" to learn that the fire had been started deliberately.

"I find it hard to believe that anyone could have intended to harm elderly, vulnerable people," she said.

Ms Way said the residents were distressed by the incident and by being separated from each other.

"We had one woman in tears this morning because she was missing her friends so much," she said.

She said she hoped the elderly people could return to the William Street home within three months.