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26/06/2009
Arrests Follow Elderly Man's Blaze Escape
Two men have been arrested after a fire in Banbridge forced 25 people to leave their homes.
The pair, a teenager aged 19 and a man aged 22, were held this morning after a suspect fire was tackled last night.
It emerged earlier that a 91-year-old man had to be woken up by firefighters following the overnight blaze in the Co Down town.
It happened after the emergency crew were called out to the man's flat in the Mountview Terrace area as the suspect blaze spread.
Fire crews woke the man and then helped the pensioner out of his flat.
They said today that a total of 25 people, including children, were moved out of their homes during the fire which started at about 1.30am on Friday.
However, there were no reports of any injuries, but several properties were badly damaged by the fire.
The rest were damaged by smoke and water. At least one home has been destroyed.
First appearances suggest that an oil tank caught fire during the incident.
Despite the drama with the aged victim, many of the residents were able to get out of their homes themselves after which a local leisure centre was made available for people who were moved out.
The police have said they are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Meanwhile, there has been a fire at a derelict school in Strabane.
Three fire engines and 19 firefighters spent two hours bringing the blaze at the former Convent of Mercy school under control on Thursday night.
It is believed that the fire was started deliberately as it is the second suspected arson attack on the building in two months.
(BMcC/JM)
The pair, a teenager aged 19 and a man aged 22, were held this morning after a suspect fire was tackled last night.
It emerged earlier that a 91-year-old man had to be woken up by firefighters following the overnight blaze in the Co Down town.
It happened after the emergency crew were called out to the man's flat in the Mountview Terrace area as the suspect blaze spread.
Fire crews woke the man and then helped the pensioner out of his flat.
They said today that a total of 25 people, including children, were moved out of their homes during the fire which started at about 1.30am on Friday.
However, there were no reports of any injuries, but several properties were badly damaged by the fire.
The rest were damaged by smoke and water. At least one home has been destroyed.
First appearances suggest that an oil tank caught fire during the incident.
Despite the drama with the aged victim, many of the residents were able to get out of their homes themselves after which a local leisure centre was made available for people who were moved out.
The police have said they are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Meanwhile, there has been a fire at a derelict school in Strabane.
Three fire engines and 19 firefighters spent two hours bringing the blaze at the former Convent of Mercy school under control on Thursday night.
It is believed that the fire was started deliberately as it is the second suspected arson attack on the building in two months.
(BMcC/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
