Arsonists target Derry home twice in one night

The home of a woman and her nine-year-old son was targeted twice in the one night by arsonists in Derry today.

The woman and her son were treated for shock after the first incident in Hardy Court in the Ballymagroarty area at around 3am.

Arsonists pushed a firework through the letterbox of the house, filling the hallway with smoke.

While the woman and her son were being treated in hospital, the fire service was summoned back to deal with a blaze after paper was set alight and pushed through the letterbox.

The fire caused damage to a hall and front door.

While no one was in the house at the time, it is understood a neighbour who responded to the second attack had to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

The incident was condemned by fire officer Willie Lynch.

"This is the modern version of Russian roulette, where someone could get killed," he said.

"This is obviously an attempt to burn someone out and cause injury or death."

Jenny McCann, whose home was targeted in the attacks and who was sleeping when the arsonists first struck, said the house was targeted twice in the space of two and a half hours.

"They have damaged my home and my son is very, very badly shaken by all this," she said.

"They are scum to do this to a family - especially when it is not that long since my son lost his father in March. He doesn't need to be put through further grieving."

SDLP councillor Seana Hume condemned the attacks on the family.

"What we are talking about here amounts to attempted murder," she said. "A mother and a son could have been killed. It really is deplorable.

"Those who carried out these attacks knew exactly what they were doing and who they were targeting. These attacks must end."