Families lucky to escape

SHANKILL families were lucky to escape with their lives on New Year's Eve after an audacious arson attempt on an oil tank.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jan 2010, 10:19 BST
Updated 5th Jan 2010, 17:45 BST

The arsonists tampered with a pipe connected to an oil tank and set fire to a bin in the Rectory Road area last Thursday night around 10pm.

Police said papers close to the oil tank were also set on fire.

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It appears the arsonists were attempting to ignite the oil tank and had they been successful the results could have been catastrophic.

The police have appealed for information and asked anyone who may have witnessed the fire being started to come forward.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Some time between 9.45pm and 10.20pm on Thursday, December 31, a bin at the back of a house was set on fire and a pipe attached to an oil tank tampered with. Papers close to the oil tank were also set on fire.

"Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area and witnessed the fire being started or has information in relation to this to contact them on 0845 600 8000.

"Information about crime can also be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111."

Related topics:Police