Flat is destroyed in arson attack

Residents of a block of flats, including a heavily pregnant woman, have escaped injury in an arson attack in County Down.

The fire was started in an unoccupied ground floor flat of the complex in the Brook Grove area of Banbridge. The flat was destroyed in the blaze.

A couple, including the pregnant woman, were in the neighbouring property.

The emergency services were called by a man living in a flat on the floor above at about 0400 BST.

A number of other properties in the complex sustained smoke damage in the fire.

The scene of the blaze is to be examined by forensic scientists later on Friday.

Poice have appealed for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Brook Grove area during the early hours of Friday to contact detectives at Banbridge on 028406 62222