Teenager charged over murder bid

A teenager was charged with attempted murder today after a house fire in Co Antrim.

Neighbours in Cloona Park, Dunmurry raised the alarm and a woman, who was initially trapped in the rented property, managed to escape.

She was treated in hospital following the fire, which was started around 4am, and later released.

Police said a 19-year-old man will appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Monday in connection with the fire.

Sinn Féin MLA Michael Ferguson said the blaze, which destroyed the house, could have had fatal consequences.

Mr Ferguson said: “We can only be thankful that no one died in this fire or that other adjacent properties were not also set alight and others injured.

“The person who did this could have killed the occupant and we are just thankful the lady was able to escape having been alerted by neighbours.”