Race-hate ruled out as arson motive

Police have ruled out a racial motive for an arson attack which forced seven Malaysian people from their home today.

The victims were inside the property on Dunluce Avenue in the south of Belfast when a sofa was pushed against the front window and set alight.

All of them got out uninjured, but the outside of the house and a parked car were damaged.

Police were alerted to the scene just before 1am and initially said they were investigating a possible racial motive.

However, a spokesman for the force later confirmed this was no longer a line of inquiry.