PSNI arrest 12 after blaze at house in Tyrone

Twelve men have been arrested after a gang ransacked then tried to set fire to a house in Co Tyrone.

Extensive damage was caused to the property in the Springdale area of Dungannon on Friday night.

Five occupants who hid upstairs narrowly escaped injury when materials were gathered into the hallway and set alight. The men fled in a number of different cars.

The vehicles were stopped a short time later at separate locations and 12 men were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and arson with intent to endanger life.

A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the suspects were in custody helping police with their enquiries.

He said: “Detectives would ask anyone who was in the Springdale area at this time and who may have witnessed any suspicious activity or who has any information to contact CID in Dungannon.”