Householder injured and pet dog killed after petrol bomb thrown through living room window of property in Newry
A man suffered a serious burn and a pet dog died after a petrol bomb was thrown through the living room window of a house in Newry in the early hours of the morning.
A PSNI spokesman said it was reported around 2.20am that a suspected petrol bomb had been thrown through the living room window of a house in Clonmore in the Armagh Road area of the city.
Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the fire.
Detective Inspector Moffett said: “In the living room at the time was a man in his 50s who sustained a serious burn injury.
“Three people, including a teenager, were upstairs at the time and were able to make their way out of the burning property.
"However, the family’s pet dog died in the house fire.
“The man remains in hospital at this time and the other three occupants have been treated for smoke inhalation.
“This was a very serious incident when a property was deliberately set on fire with clear intent to risk life and destroy someone’s home.
"A neighbouring home was also smoke damaged as a result of this attack which we are investigating as arson with intent to endanger life.
"Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who saw anything or who has any information, including dash-cam, CCTV or other footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 93 14/01/26.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty condemned a petrol bomb attack as ‘a shocking incident that has left a man in hospital and a family pet dead’.
‘This situation could have been even worse with a number of people upstairs in the property at the time of the attack who had to fight their way to safety.
‘A neighbouring property was also damaged. This must have been terribly frightening for neighbours and nobody should be subjected to this.
“This is an attack that could have resulted in innocent fatalities.
‘Nobody expects something like this to happen on their doorsteps and this was clearly a violent attack with an intent to cause real harm.
“I would appeal for anyone with any information about this to come forward to police. Those responsible for such a reckless attack must be held accountable for their actions.”