Firebomb attack at hardware store in Antrim

Police urged businesses to be alert today after fire-bombers launched a new attack on a DIY store in Northern Ireland.

Police urged businesses to be alert today after fire-bombers launched a new attack on a DIY store in Northern Ireland.

The B&Q branch in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, suffered smoke and water damage when an incendiary device ignited.

The consequences could have been worse but for a sprinkler system which started up as soon as the blaze broke out near wood in the premises on Mill Road late last night.

The attack came just a week after an incendiary device started a fire at another B&Q branch in Coleraine, Co Derry.

READ MORE

And in August millions of pounds of damage was inflicted on retail premises in Newry, County Down, in a fire-bombing campaign blamed on dissident republican terrorists.

After the latest incident, police remained at the scene today.

They also appealed to all key holders in the Newtownabbey area to check their premises.

Retailers were urged to make checks throughout each trading day and before the close of business in a bid to thwart any further attacks.