Women rescued after arson attack

Two women were pulled out of a house by firefighters in Derry last night after they ran back in following a suspected arson attack.

They had left the house in Gortfoyle Place when the blaze began at around 9.15pm.

The women, two men and a householder had been in the building prior to the fire starting.

It is understood they went back in to look for a third person.

The fire caused scorch damage to the rear utility room. The rest of the house suffered smoke damage.

It is understood a smoke alarm had been vandalised.

Firefighters said both women had put their lives at risk by going back into the burning house to look for another person.

They were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke after being pulled out of the house by firefighters.

Police said they were treating the incident as a suspected arson attack.