Arson Investigation Underway in County Down
Police are investigating a suspected arson incident after two vehicles were damaged by fire outside a residence in County Down during the early hours of Wednesday.
The event occurred in Killynure Green, Carryduff, at around 04:45 BST.
Authorities are pursuing a line of inquiry suggesting that one car was deliberately set on fire first, which then caused the fire to spread to a second vehicle parked in the same driveway.
A family, including a child, was inside the house at the time of the fire. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Emergency Response and Police Statement
Officers responded promptly to the scene, accompanied by members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze.
The firefighters departed the location at 06:14 BST.
The police are treating the case as arson.
Inspector McCorry commented on the incident, emphasizing the potential severity of the situation.
"The consequences of the incident could have been far more serious,"
"Extensive damage was caused to both vehicles, and enquiries are ongoing today to determine exactly what happened, who was involved and a motive,"
McCorry added.
Eyewitness Account from Local Resident
Local resident Elise Conroy shared her experience with NI, describing how she was awakened by the sound of popping noises.
Upon looking out her window, she observed that one of the cars was "engulfed in flames."
She noted that the family remained inside the house during the incident.
"We all just kind of rallied together, ran over, screamed her name, tried to get as close to the house as we could, but everything was just up in flames, it was awful to see,"
Conroy said.
The woman and her child managed to escape the house safely.
"No one should ever have to experience that, never mind in the one place you're meant to feel safe and at home. It was just awful,"
she added.
Police Appeal for Information
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
