In the early hours of Wednesday, January 14th, a family home in Newry, Northern Ireland, was devastated by a fire caused by a petrol bomb attack. The attack resulted in serious burn injuries to a man and the tragic death of a pet dog.
The incident occurred around 2.20 am when a suspected petrol bomb was thrown through the living room window of a house in the Clonmore area on Armagh Road, as reported by Belfast Live. Detectives have initiated an investigation into the matter.
Emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, responded to the scene to extinguish the fire. A man in his 50s suffered severe burn injuries in the living room during the attack. Fortunately, three other occupants, including a teenager, managed to escape the burning house. Regrettably, the family’s pet dog perished in the fire.
The injured man remains hospitalized, while the other occupants received treatment for smoke inhalation. The authorities are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life, emphasizing the severity of the deliberate act that endangered lives and destroyed property.
Justin McNulty, the SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA, condemned the attack, expressing shock at the harm caused to the man and the loss of the family pet. He highlighted the terror inflicted on the occupants and neighboring properties, stressing the need for accountability for such violent actions.
Police are urging anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. They can contact the authorities through various channels, including the non-emergency reporting form on the police website or anonymously through Crimestoppers.