A woman has escaped injury after an oil tank caught fire after bins were set alight in an arson attack at her home.
Emergency services were called to the home in Greenhaw Avenue in the Shantallow area of Derry last night, Tuesday, April 9.
Bins were alight spreading to a nearby oil tank at the back of the house causing it to go on fire. The woman, in her 60s, was inside the house at the time but managed to get out.
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Sergeant Swanson said: "At around 8:30pm, it was reported that a number of bins were alight spreading to a nearby oil tank at the back of a house in the area, causing it to go on fire. The fire then spread to the house, causing substantial damage to the property and neighbouring homes. A women in her 60s who was inside the property at the time of the incident, but managed to get out. She was treated for shock at the scene. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended the scene and dealt with the fire. There were no reports of any injuries
"We are also investigating a possible link to damage caused to a car parked in the Greenhaw Avenue area of Shantallow sometime between 9:30pm and 10:30pm. It is believed that a slate was thrown through the rear window of the car, causing damage to the vehicle.
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"Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1330 9/4/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."
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