Family ‘devastated’ after escaping arson attack

The Lurgan family rescued by the Fire Service in the early hours of Saturday morning say they are ‘devastated’.
Fire damage at the house in Spelga Park. INLM39-121gcFire damage at the house in Spelga Park. INLM39-121gc
Fire damage at the house in Spelga Park. INLM39-121gc

Five members of the family including two teenage boys, a five year old girl as well as the children’s 42-year-old mother and their 61-year-old grandfather were in the house at Spelga Park. A bag of rubbish was set against the door of their home at about 4am. The Fire Service were called and officers led them to safety.

No-one was injured in the attack. A door was damaged and there was smoke damage to the inside of the house.

The family, who didn’t want to be identified, said they are devasted and just want to put the whole trama behind them. “The community have been very supportive,” said a family member.

Craigavon’s Mayor, councillor Mark Baxter, said: “It was a mindless action, carried out by those with scant regard for life, and compounded by the fact that a child of five had to be rescued.”

Deputy Mayor Colin McCusker described those behind it as ‘mindless’.

SDLP councillor Joe Nelson said: “I commend the fire and rescue service for their prompt actions.”

DUP Cllr Carla Lockhart said it was “very alarming”. This could have had a very different outcome.”

Lurgan PUP said: “The harsh reality is that had it not been for the professionalism of the fire personnel we could be talking about the deaths of five members of our community.”