Antrim arson: Home set on fire with pensioner inside

NIFRS Burnt debris leading into a house. A house fire that's been put out. — The PSNI say “the incident is being treated as arson with intent”

An elderly woman has been taken to hospital after a home was set on fire in Antrim during the early hours of Tuesday.

Police received a report that a property in Rathglynn was set alight at about 03:20 GMT.

The woman, who is in her 70s, was inside the property at the time of the incident. She was taken to hospital for treatment to burns to her hands and smoke inhalation following the incident.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: “The property was significantly damaged and at this stage, the incident is being treated as arson with intent.”

NIFRS Firefighters are at the doorway of a house with broken windows. — The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire

A woman, aged in her 40s, was treated for both smoke inhalation and injuries to her hands, as she attempted to free the woman from the property.

A man, aged in his 40s, was also treated for smoke inhalation as he attempted to provide assistance.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire.

NIFRS Fire engines, red and yellow in colour with flashing blue lights parked up on a street with parked cars around them. It's nighttime so the street lights are on and there are people standing on the sidewalk as firefighters in yellow uniforms and hard hats are moving equipment across the road. — Police received a report that a property in Rathglynn was set alight at about 03:20 on Tuesday

SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch condemned the incident, describing it as a “terrifying experience” for the woman involved.

“This must have been an absolutely terrifying experience for this woman and I can’t begin to imagine why anyone would target the home of an older person in this way,” Lynch said.

“People in this area are shocked that this has happened on their doorsteps and that a member of their community was placed in harm’s way.

“I would urge anyone with any information about this incident to come forward to police.”