Retail premises hit by suspected arson attacks

Major retail premises have been destroyed in suspected arson attacks across Newry in the North overnight.

Homes were evacuated as fire swept through Carpetright and MFI stores in the city’s Damolly Park area.

At the same time a JJB sports shop was gutted in a blaze a mile away on Merchants Quay. A nearby TK Maxx store suffered heat damage.

Nearly 150 firefighters and 26 appliances were brought in during the emergency. Police urged all businesses and keyholders in the city to check their premises.

They were also examining a security alert on the Newry railway line near Cloughoge Bridge.

As the blazes were brought under control Group Commander Walter Johnston confirmed they were probably started deliberately by fire bombs.

“It would be most unusual to have this type of incident at the same time involving four premises,” he said.

“As soon as the buildings cool down we will be going through them and police will be helping us. We are almost certain they were malicious fires, but how they actually started we are not sure yet.

“The buildings were totally secure when the fire crews arrived.”