Shop damaged in fire bomb attack

The attack in Ballymena is the sixth suspected fire bombing in four days

A shop in County Antrim has been badly damaged in a fire bomb attack.

Police passing the Harry Corry premises on Church Street, Ballymena, at about 0300 GMT on Wednesday, noticed smoke coming from the property and called the fire brigade.

While crews were dealing with the blaze two more devices in the shop ignited.

Dissident republicans have been linked to a wave of fire bombings, and police have warned there may be further attacks.

The attack in Ballymena is the sixth suspected fire bomb attack in four days.

It makes me very sad that we have come back to this, and to a degree angry at the fact that this has started to happen again Station Officer Mark Beresford

Station officer Mark Beresford said he was upset that his crews were put in danger.

"It makes me very sad that we have come back to this, and to a degree angry at the fact that this has started to happen again.

"But the crews and the officers are all well trained to deal with this type of incident and that they know how to minimise the risk to their personnel," he said.

Earlier, police had asked shop owners in Ballymena, Magherafelt and Maghera to return to their premises to check for incendiary devices.