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07/04/2025
Man Arrested In Connection With Deliberate Gorse Fire In Mournes
A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a large gorse fire in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown, County Down. The fire, which police are treating as deliberate ignition, required road closures and the evacuation of nearby residents on Saturday evening, 5th April.
District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down Superintendent Norman Haslett stated, "Officers received a request for traffic and travel assistance from colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday evening, 5th April. The gorse fire, which is being treated as deliberate ignition, was ablaze in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown. Road closures were in place overnight, with local diversions in place. These closures have now been lifted. Police also assisted with the evacuation of nearby residents."
The man was arrested on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences. He has since been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries to be conducted.
Superintendent Haslett emphasised the seriousness of gorse fires, saying, "Gorse fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife as well as threatening homes, farms and the people living in those areas. We’re asking anyone who was in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown yesterday and noticed anything out of the ordinary to make contact with us. Anyone who engages in this reckless behaviour should carefully consider the consequences of their actions, and will be subject to the full rigour of the law."
Police are appealing for anyone with information, including dash-cam, CCTV, or other video footage, to come forward. They have also issued a warning regarding a separate ongoing gorse fire in the Slievenaman Road area of Newcastle, urging the public to avoid the area to allow fire service personnel to operate effectively.
"We would reiterate our earlier appeal not to travel to the Slievenaman Road area of Newcastle due to an ongoing gorse fire - our colleagues at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service need space to operate," Superintendent Haslett said. "We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time, as enquiries continue. If anyone has any information about criminal action linked to the recent gorse fires, please call police on 101."
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/
District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down Superintendent Norman Haslett stated, "Officers received a request for traffic and travel assistance from colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday evening, 5th April. The gorse fire, which is being treated as deliberate ignition, was ablaze in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown. Road closures were in place overnight, with local diversions in place. These closures have now been lifted. Police also assisted with the evacuation of nearby residents."
The man was arrested on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences. He has since been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries to be conducted.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, including dash-cam, CCTV, or other video footage, to come forward. They have also issued a warning regarding a separate ongoing gorse fire in the Slievenaman Road area of Newcastle, urging the public to avoid the area to allow fire service personnel to operate effectively.
"We would reiterate our earlier appeal not to travel to the Slievenaman Road area of Newcastle due to an ongoing gorse fire - our colleagues at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service need space to operate," Superintendent Haslett said. "We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time, as enquiries continue. If anyone has any information about criminal action linked to the recent gorse fires, please call police on 101."
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/
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