A PSNI officer said it was “fortunate” that no-one was hurt after the incident in Downpatrick early this morning.
Detective Sergeant Emerson said: “Around 3.45am on Saturday, we received a call that two males had approached a house in the Struell Avenue area of the town, pouring petrol over the front door and a car before making an attempt to set them on fire.
“They left the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival.
“A short time later, we received a report that a car was on fire in the Saul Road area, this is believed to be the vehicle the suspects travelled in.”
Children escaped injury after a house and car were set alight in Downpatrick. Stock photo.
News Catch Up – Friday 24th October
DS Emerson added: “Luckily, the fire had not spread and was extinguished by the resident of the property relatively quickly.
“However, there were a number of children and adults asleep in the property at the time this happened and it is very fortunate nobody was injured.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have information about this, who was in the area at the time, or who may have video footage – ring doorbell or other that could be relevant to the investigation, to get in contact with us on 101 quoting reference 204 of 25/10/25.”
To put people at risk like this is totally wrong
SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith has condemned the attack.
“We are incredibly lucky that the resident of this property was alert to this fire and able to put it out quickly before anyone was harmed,” he said.
“To set a fire at a property with both adults and children asleep inside in the early hours of the morning was a reckless and destructive act and we could have been dealing with a tragedy.
“I am sure this will have been a terrifying incident for those inside the property and the resident who responded to the blaze. To put people at risk like this is totally wrong and I’m sure it will take time for them to come to terms with what happened in their home.
“The people behind this fire clearly had no regard for the safety of those inside the property and they must be apprehended before they can hurt anyone else. I would ask anyone with information to come forward to police and help them with their investigation.”