Police investigate arson attacks across NI

A number of arson attacks were reported in Northern Ireland overnight although the number of callouts and attacks on emergency…

A number of arson attacks were reported in Northern Ireland overnight although the number of callouts and attacks on emergency services was down on previous years.

A fire at a tyre depot in Derry was started deliberately, according to the North's Fire and rescue service.

Fire officers were called to the scene at about 7.30 pm and removed gas cylinders which were in danger of exploding.

Police are due to carry out an examination at the depot this morning.

Burndennett Cricket Club outside Strabane was also targeted and there are fears it will have to be
pulled down after the overnight blaze.

READ MORE

A house in south Belfast also sustained extensive damage in a suspected malicious fire. The home in the Lisburn Road area was unoccupied when the fire started around  7.30pm. Residents in a neighbouring property were evacuated as firefighters  attempted to tackle the blaze.

The Fire Service said the total number of call outs for Halloween night was  down by around a third on previous years. Between 6pm and midnight crews  responded to a total of 300 calls.

A spokesman for the service said there were also significantly fewer attacks on crews. 

PSNI officers in the border town of Crossmaglen were attacked with fireworks and petrol bombs at about 9pm last night.