Newry: Man seriously burnt in petrol bomb attack

Newry: Man seriously burnt in petrol bomb attack

In Newry, a house suffered severe damage after being targeted in a petrol bomb attack, resulting in a man being hospitalized and a family dog losing its life. The incident occurred in the early hours, with police receiving a report around 02:20 GMT that an explosive device had been hurled through the living room window of a property on Armagh Road, Clonmore. At the time, a man in his 50s was inside the living room, sustaining serious burn injuries, and he remains under medical care.

Firefighters responded promptly to extinguish the blaze, but the damage was considerable. Three additional people, including a teenager, were upstairs during the attack. Fortunately, they managed to escape the burning home and received treatment for smoke inhalation. However, the family’s pet dog did not survive the fire. Detective Inspector Moffett described the event as “a very serious incident when a property was deliberately set on fire with clear intent to risk life and destroy someone’s home,” and noted that a nearby house also suffered smoke damage. The police are investigating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life.

The attack drew condemnation from local political figures. Justin McNulty, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA for Newry and Armagh, expressed his concern over the dangers posed by such violent acts. He highlighted the risk of “innocent fatalities” from the reckless attack and called the experience “terribly frightening” for the neighbours in the area. McNulty urged witnesses to come forward and contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

He stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable, stating, “Those responsible for such a reckless attack must be held accountable for their actions.” The incident has clearly left a lasting impact on the local community, underscoring the seriousness of the event and the need for thorough investigation and justice

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