Police treating Ballymena fire as ‘arson with intent to endanger life’

Detective Sergeant Macaulay said: “Just before 8.40pm, police received a report of a fire at a residential address and attended along with colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

“Thankfully the property was empty at the time, however the resident of a neighbouring property was treated for smoke inhalation.

“Our fire service colleagues were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread but it is believed that an accelerant was used to start the fire deliberately. As such, we are treating this as arson with intent to endanger life.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Chichester Park East area yesterday evening, Tuesday 22nd November, or who may have dashcam or CCTV which could help with our enquiries, to contact us on 101 quoting reference 1794 of 22/11/22.”