Heartless arsonists attack a blocks of flats in Newcastle in the early hours of Monday morning leaving a number of families homeless just weeks before Christmas.
Police are investigating the incident and there is a widespread call for anyone with information on this fire to contact the Police in Downpatrick on 101.
[caption id="attachment_59865" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
Flats completely gutted in the fire at Bracken Avenue in Newcastle when arsonist(s) set an oil tank alight.[/caption]
A spokesperson for the NI Housing Executive said: “We can confirm eleven of our properties have been affected by a fire this morning at Bracken Avenue Newcastle. Our eleven tenants have been taken to Clare Lodge in Newcastle, run by St Vincent de Paul, where our team are working with them regarding their accommodation options.
“The PSNI is carrying out their investigation of the site and the incident. Our contractors are carrying out remedial work at the site to ensure the properties remain safe after we received clearance from the PSNI to enter the scene.
“A full inspection of our eleven properties will be carried out shortly, however, our initial inspection indicates four of the properties could be habitable in the near future. We are not yet in a position to give a timeline for the refurbishment of the properties. “We remain in close contact with our tenants to ensure their accommodation needs are met in the interim. [caption id="attachment_59866" align="alignright" width="390"]
Flats at Bracken Avenue in Newcastle severely damaged by fire after an arson attack early on Monday morning[/caption]
“If anyone has any information relating to this fire we’d urge them to contact the PSNI on 101.”
A police spokesperson added: “The fire was reported shortly after 3am. Some of the residents of the eight flats are elderly. There are no reports of any injuries. Police believe the fire was started deliberately at an oil tank and are appealing for information.”
Rogers Condemns Arson Attack In Newcastle
South Down MLA Seán Rogers (SDLP) has condemned the fire in Bracken Avenue in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mr Rogers said: “I was shocked to wake to news of a fire in the Burrendale Estate in Newcastle and to then discover that the Police are following a malicious line of enquiry. This type of behaviour is unwarranted. The people in Bracken Avenue deserve to live in peace.
“I met on Monday morning with the Minister for Social Development on this specific issue and highlighted the importance of relocating those residents within their own community in the short-term and we also discussed how we could secure a resolution to the wider issue in the long-term.
“I wish to praise the action of the NI Fire and Rescue Service who dealt with this incident in a very quick and professional manner as well as the local Housing Executive staff.
“Whilst this incident was the most destructive, it wasn’t the first. Local people need to come forward to the Police or even my office with information. Someone has to have seen something. The person or persons responsible have to be caught so that the people of the Burrendale Estate can live in peace.”
[caption id="attachment_59867" align="alignleft" width="390"]
A partially damaged oil tank set alight in Bracken Avenue last Friday before the attack on early Monday morning.[/caption]
McCallister Praises Swift Actions Of Firemen In Newcastle
John McCallister MLA, independent Unionist for South Down, has praised the swift action of the Fire and Rescue Service in putting out the deliberate fire in Braken Avenue in Newcastle.
Mr McCallister said: “The swift and brave actions of the Fire Service to evacuate the flats and surrounding buildings and put out the fire clearly saved lives. I congratulate those involved on their professionalism and skill.
“Residents in the area have been badly disturbed and I urge the NI Housing Executive to provide as much support as possible, especially for elderly residents. But we could be looking at a much worse situation today.
“This appears to have been a particularly malicious act of arson which could easily have resulted in multiple fatalities and I would urge anyone with any information to report it to the police.”
Devlin Appalled At Devastation Of The Fire
Cllr Laura Devlin (SDLP) added her voice to the general condemnations saying: “I was appalled to learn what happened this morning. This behaviour is unacceptable and totally unjustified. Last week we had discussed this very issue in detail at our local inter-agency meeting but to witness such vandalism and a very real threat to the lives of those living in the area is completely unacceptable.
[caption id="attachment_59869" align="alignright" width="260"]
The fire swept through several of the flats causing major structural damage and threatening lives.[/caption]
“I can understand that some local residents are fearful but we really need some information so that the Police can apprehend those responsible and put them before the Courts.”
Councillor Willie Clarke Says Lives Could Have Been Lost
Mourne’s Councillor Willie Clarke (Sinn Féin) condemned the actions of those who deliberately set fire to a number of oil tanks in Bracken Avenue, Newcastle at the weekend and he said: “Lives could have been lost.
“This is the fourth arson attack at this estate in the last couple of months, we clearly have a serial arsonist in our midst. It is sickening that someone in our community is putting the lives of many vulnerable citizens at risk.”
Having visited the scene this morning, Cllr Clarke said: “There was very considerable damage to the flats in Bracken Avenue. This act of mindless vandalism was carried out by an irresponsible person or persons intent on destroying communities. It is a miracle that residents didn’t lose their lives. This is largely down to residents who raised the alarm, the installation of smoke alarms and the emergency services’ quick responses.
“I spoke to residents who survived this latest arson attack. These people have lost everything. With Christmas just around the corner, this community cannot be expected to live with the fear of another arson attack. I would like to thank the emergency services for their efforts, the Housing Executive officers for providing emergency accommodation, also the Murlough Community Association and Clare Lodge for assisting the residents impacted by this disgraceful attack.
“There was an 81-year old woman who had to leave her home, and a number of families. This is unacceptable.
“I want those who are engaging in this type of behaviour to realise the gravity of their actions. An arson attack of this scale costing possibly several hundred thousands of pounds could have resulted in the serious loss of life. A number of residents were literally minutes away from death. I would urge anyone with information on this arson attack to contact the PSNI or another third party such as a church group, or a political party including myself.”
]]>
