Emergency services at the scene of a 5G mast fire in Poleglass. Photo by Kevin Scott.
Emergency services at the scene of the fire. Photo by Kevin Scott.
Police have branded an arson attack on a 5G phone mast in west Belfast as “extremely reckless”.
The latest incident – the third in a week – happened in the Poleglass area.
Images show the mast ablaze.
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Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey called for an end to attacks on 5G masts in the community.
“This continued campaign is irrational and absolutely absurd,” he said.
“These attacks are self-destructive, self-defeating, and amount to an attack on the entire community.
“They are causing serious disruption, endangering lives, and this futile behaviour must stop immediately.
“I will continue to speak with police to ensure they are doing all they can to identify those responsible and hold them to account.”
Emergency services at the scene of the fire. Photo by Kevin Scott.
The PSNI said officers received a report of a fire in the Kestrel Grange area of Dunmurry.
Sergeant Brown said: “Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, following a report that a 5G mast was alight shortly before 9.40pm.
“This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment.
“This is extremely reckless, and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk.
“On top of that risk, there is a significant financial impact to the mast-owners as they work to correct the damage, as well as the impact on the local community in terms of mobile phone service.
“We continue to engage with local representatives and the mast-owners around the issue.
“We are treating this as arson, and would ask that anyone with information contact us on 101 quoting reference 1637 of 13/6/25.”