Fire at derelict property on Larne Street, Ballymena being treated as ‘deliberate ignition’
Police in Ballymena are appealing for witnesses in relation to a fire in the town on Monday, September 28.
Sergeant McDowell said: “At approximately 2.20pm, officers received and responded to a report of a fire in the Larne Road area of the town.
“It was discovered that the blaze had started at the outhouse of a property. The inside of the property had been destroyed, [with] smoke and water damage also caused to neighbouring outhouses.
“Thankfully, the property was derelict, and there were no reports of any injuries.
“A number of residents in the area where evacuated as colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire, and Larne Street was closed for a period of time.
“At this stage, the incident is being treated as deliberate ignition, and our enquiries are ongoing this morning to establish the circumstances.
“I would appeal to anyone who has any information which might assist, or who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, to get in touch with officers by calling 101, and quoting reference number 828 of 28/09/26.”
Alternatively, anyone with information on the incident can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the incident was attended by two appliances from Ballymena Fire Station, two from Antrim Fire Station, one appliance and a command support unit from Kilrea Fire Station and an aerial appliance from Springfield Fire Station.