Arson attack on family home

The family were not at home when the house was targeted

A Londonderry family have said they could have been burned to death if they had been in their house when it was targeted by arsonists.

Philip and Sharon Brace who have two children - Kirk, 13, and 11-year-old Stephanie - are considering moving out of their home at Stevenson Park, Tullyalley after the attack.

The Democratic Unionist Party has claimed elements within the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force are trying to drive fear into Protestant families in the estate.

Neighbours spotted the flames at the house just before midnight on Saturday.

A number of men had forced their way inside and lit a fire in a child's bedroom, before setting other material alight in another spare room.

There was smoke and fire damage to upstairs rooms.

Mrs Brace described those who carried out the attack as "scum".

William Hay: Paramilitaries trying to drive out residents

Her husband said the family had suffered numerous previous attacks, with windows being smashed and his car being burned.

Mr Brace blamed the attack on "people that maybe would have different political views than myself".

"People who masquerade themselves under the so-called UVF banner. People that have moved into this area, maybe over the last couple of years," he added.

The DUP said loyalist paramilitaries were trying to turn the estate into a Protestant ghetto.

DUP councillor William Hay said: "They are actually doing the work of the Provos (Provisional IRA).

"In fact, I would say this estate is suffering more at the hands of loyalists now who are supposed to be their protectors, than the Provos."