Police save knife-wielding man in house fire

Eight police officers have been treated for smoke inhalation after they went into a smouldering building in north Belfast to rescue a distressed man who was brandishing a knife.

Shortly after 1.20am on Sunday morning, the fire service were initially called out to attend a blaze at a house at Leggagh Court, Ballysillan.

The house was then set alight again at 10:15am, and when police arrived at the scene a man was throwing items out of the window.

The man was armed with an iron bar and refused to let police into his house.

The fire service managed to douse down the flames, while PSNI officers from the Tactical Support Group, in protective clothing, entered the property and were confronted by the occupant who was brandishing a knife.

The man was then removed from the house and was taken to hospital.

Inspector Brian Hanna, from Antrim Road Station, said that it was "a mercy" there were no deaths.

“If this blaze had spread to neighbouring houses the effect could have been potentially devastating," he said.

“The fire and the ambulance services must be praised for their actions in dealing with a difficult situation, as well as the police officers who entered the densely smoke filled building with no breathing apparatus.”

(GMcG)