Police Investigate Homeless Centre Blaze

Police are investigating suspected arson following a fire at a homeless drop-in centre in west Belfast.

Detectives are still trying to work out who began the blaze at the facility, which is run by the Welcome Organisation.

The building at St Peter's Square off the lower Falls was destroyed in the blaze at the weekend.

The centre provides facilities and support for homeless and vulnerable people, including clothes, food and showering facilities.

It is usually open seven days a week from 08:00 GMT to 22:00 GMT.

Alternative facilities are being provided following the destruction of the property.

The fire broke out at about about 03:45 on Sunday.

SDLP Lower Falls Councillor Colin Keenan has called for any agencies able to provide help for those affected by the fire to do so immediately.

He said: "The Welcome Organisation provide a fantastic service for the homeless and it is was genuinely upsetting when I visited the centre this morning and saw the destruction that had been wrought.

"I also met with some of those affected by the fire, including homeless people who had turned up for shelter and support and were met with a burned out building.

"While it is good that the Welcome Organisation’s new centre, which was due to supersede this building in around a month’s time, is able to provide basic services to those homeless people in need of them, the new building is still not quite ready.

"Therefore I am calling on any and all agencies who can help provide shelter for those affected by this blaze to do so immediately."

He added: "It is hard enough to be homeless in the dead of winter without being able to rely on the small bit of support you turned to so it behoves us all to do everything we can."

(IT)