Police investigate two arson attacks on house

Two arson attacks on the same house within hours were being investigated by police in the North today.

Two petrol bombs were thrown at the house in the Dunclug area of Ballymena, Co Antrim, at around 3.20am causing scorch damage to the front door, said police.

Five hours later police were alerted after a back bedroom window was broken and a fire started inside the house. Extensive fire damage was caused to the room, said a spokesman.

No-one was believed to have been in the house at the time of either attack.

A police spokesman said they were seeking to establish a motive for the attacks.

The occupier of the house said he believed the attacks were sectarian because he was a Protestant living in a mainly Catholic area.

The man, who declined to be named, said he had been targeted before but, after 30 years in his house, would not be forced to leave by attacks.

He revealed that he had recently had CCTV installed and plastic screens put over windows to guard against attackers.