04/04/2006

South Belfast fire started 'maliciously'

Police have confirmed that they are treating the cause of a fire at a block of flats in south Belfast last night as malicious.

Fire and rescue services were alerted to the blaze in the 14-storey Belvoir House building, near Drumart Drive. A man and a woman who had become trapped by smoke in two separate flats on the sixth floor were rescued. It is understood that the woman who lived in the flat where the fire started was not at home at the time.

Fire fighters evacuated residents from the building for a short time until the blaze was brought under control.

A spokesman for the fire and rescue service today said that residents experienced a terrifying ordeal. He said: "The sixth floor was full of thick, black smoke and those residents were trapped and obviously quite distressed.

"They were brought to safety by fire crews and were treated by paramedics who were in attendance."

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire, and have appealed for anyone with any information relating to the blaze to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/SP)

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