Family's Fire Escape Plan Praised

A family had a lucky escape last night when they had to flee from an arson attack in south Belfast.

The ground floor of the property, at Florenceville Drive, off the Ormeau Road, was targeted at around 3am on Wednesday, trapping the woman and her three teenage children upstairs.

According to reports from the scene this morning, they fled the blaze via an upstairs window, leading onto a small ledge from which they were able to make their way safely to the ground.

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service said the family had a lucky escape from the blaze that badly damaged the ground floor, but later commented that their escape route must have been pre-planned because it proved to be so effective.

Police are questioning a man who was arrested in connection with the alleged arson attack.

The Fire Service said flammable liquid was poured in through a window at the property in south Belfast.

Fire officer, Alan Walmsley, said the ground floor was well alight by the time crews arrived.

"They obviously had an escape plan in place and they were able to escape via a first floor window onto a flat roof and onto safety," he said.

He said fire crews extinguished the blaze, which broke out in the living room of the property.

Meanwhile, a woman escaped injury after a suspicious fire at a house at Cliftonville Avenue, in north Belfast. The blaze caused minor damage.

(BMcC/KMcA)