Man dies in arson attack on house

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Francis Gorman reports from the scene of the fire

A 28-year-old man has died in an arson attack at a house in Banbridge, County Down.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Fire engines, from Banbridge, Dromore and Lurgan, attended the blaze at Larchwood Mews. It broke out shortly before 0600 GMT on Monday morning.

Fire service group commander Brian Greer said his crews arrived to a "very intense and well-developed fire in a semi-detached house".

He said the man had been rescued from the building and was treated by paramedics.

"It would be a long time since I have seen as well-developed a fire in a house as that. It was quite substantial, there was substantial internal damage," he said.

"The fire could be seen by the crews responding, it could be seen at a distance."

A neighbour alerted the fire service and three appliances were at the scene.

Sinn Fein councillor Dessie Ward said: "I've lived in Banbridge all my life and Larchwood has always been a very settled, very integrated area.

"Banbridge in general is a very low crime area, so it's very shocking news for people to wake up to this morning."