Arsonists destroy Aldervale flats

Fire crews spent five hours tackling the blaze in the early hours of this morning, the latest of four fires in the Aldervale Flats complex in Tullygally at the weekend.

The second floor fire was reported at around 12.30am on Monday.

Two main jets and a hydraulic platform monitor were used to deal with the fire the cause of which appeared to be deliberate.

Crews remained at the scene for almost six hours.

Over the weekend crews attended four incidents to flats on fire in this area.

A number of children were spotted in the area by the fire crews.

District Commander Victor Spence, from NI Fire and Rescue Service, says he believes the same young people were responsible for starting the blaze.

He described the fire as “very serious.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to parents to know the whereabouts of their children.”

He said children might find starting fires “ a game” - but it poses a “serious risk” to lives.