Pensioners flee hall arson attack

Petrol was poured over the door of the hall on Skipperstone Street and set alight at about 2100 BST on Thursday.

It caused minor damage. Two teenagers arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail.

Florrie Burns, who was in the hall at the time said everyone who was there has been badly shaken by what happened.

"It was fear, it didn't leave me until this morning," she said.

"Thank God nobody was hurt, maybe this will be a lesson to some of these ones on this estate because it is not fair to the community."

Mayor Stephen Farry said pensioners should be able to feel safe in a council building.

"No doubt it was a very traumatic experience for everybody," the Alliance representative said.

It is believed a group of youths was seen in the area around the time of the incident.

It is understood the blaze was out by the time fire crews reached the scene.