Police investigate'suspicious' house fire

The alarm was raised at about 1.40am on Monday and four fire crews were sent to the scene.The blaze completely gutted one terraced house and caused smoke damage to the houses on either side. A number of residents were moved from their homes while firefighters tackled the flames.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined but police have confirmed they are treating the incident as suspicious.

One resident told the Larne Times: “My elderly father was asleep in the house next door to the fire and was woken by a noise coming from the chimney. At first he thought it was a bird, but it just kept getting louder. Then he looked outside an saw the flames shooting out from the house next door.

“Thankfully, someone had already called the Fire Service and everyone on the street was soon evacuated. He was very lucky that the fire did not spread, but the house has sustained quite a bit of smoke damage.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the fire to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.