Arson link to flats fire

Residents were evacuated from a block of flats during a suspected arson attack in Derry today.

The blaze at Sackville Court, off Little James Street, was one of two early-morning emergencies in the city.

Fire crews were sent to the scene just before 6am, police said. It is believed a mattress was set alight in a first floor stairwell.

Firefighters managed to get all those in the flats out of the building. No injuries were reported, but the complex suffered smoke damage.

Hours later, crews were called out to a burning house at Clonmeen Drive in the Strathfoyle area. Two fires in the unoccupied property were extinguished.