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Residents were evacuated after an arson attack on a property in Newry caused a gas leak this morning (Sunday).

Appealing for witnesses and information about the incident, Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: “Just after 4.40am today, Sunday 30th July, we received a report from our colleagues in Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service of a fire at a residential property in the Stream Street area.

“They confirmed that ignition was deliberate. Extensive damage was caused to the property, and the fire caused a leak in an external gas pipe.

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The scene at Stream Street in Newry, Co. Down, where police are treating a fire at a property as arson. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

“This was a serious fire, and the gas leak threatened the lives of the residents of the property and their neighbours. Thankfully, they were all evacuated safely, but if our Fire Service colleagues had not acted so swiftly the consequences of this fire could have been catastrophic.

“We are treating this report as arson with intent to endanger life and our enquiries are continuing. We are appealing to anyone with information, or who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area, to get in touch. Please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 427 of 30/07/23.”

A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or, via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Newry gas pipe leak caused by arson attack ‘threatened lives of residents’