Firefighters injured after Belfast arson attack

An arson attack on the home of an 84-year-old woman could have cost lives, emergency services warned today.

Two firefighters were injured when they were attacked as they went to fight the blaze shortly after 11.30pm yesterday.

The fire started when a caravan at the rear of the pensioner’s home in Twinbrook on the outskirts of west Belfast was set alight.

A gas cylinder in the caravan exploded, spreading the fire to the roof and kitchen of the house, as well as causing scorch damage to a nearby property.

Belfast fire service area commander Chris Kerr said if the attack on the fire appliance had forced it off the road, the blaze could have proved deadly.

“If it was not for our driver, we could have been looking at death or more serious injury,” he said.

Two firefighters were injured in the attack on their appliance when a smashed windscreen saw one officer suffer cuts, while the second had to be taken to hospital after getting glass in his eye.

Both firefighters have been discharged from hospital.

Mr Kerr said that despite being two members down after the attack, the fire crew responded to the fire and rescued the pensioner from the blaze.

The 84-year-old suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation and shock.

Police said they are investigating the blaze and are treating it as suspicious.