Empty properties deliberately set alight

Firefighters were called to the scene at 11pm on Tuesday night after one of the empty dwellings was set on fire. However, the blaze quickly spread to an adjacent property, leaving several crews fighting until almost 5am to put out the fire.

The blaze caused the roof of one of the properties to collapse, leaving the buildings in a precarious state.

Mr Davis said the properties should be "demolished before someone is killed or seriously injured."

"These dwellings are a complete and total eyesore on a main thoroughfare into Lisburn, which will have to be demolished" he said.

"Tuesday evening's fire is another in a series of incidents that have taken place at this locality."

He added: "It is totally unacceptable for local residents to have to endure and put up with this continual worry and I have asked the Council's Building Control office to take a serious look at these dwellings to see if action can be taken."

A Fire Service spokesperson stated: "The call came in at 11pm to Longstone Street, Lisburn that a large, detached derelict property was well alight. Two appliances attended from Lisburn and this was backed up by an aerial appliance from Springfield, Belfast."

They continued: "The fire spread to another derelict property, which went through the roof. This was backed up by two appliances from Springfield and Cadogan.

"The fire was stopped at 4.59am and it was deliberate ignition."

Anyone who has information about the blaze is asked to contact Police at Lisburn on 0845 600 8000 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.