Northern Ireland

£500,000 damage caused by arson attack on mobile homes in Co Down

The entrance to a mobile home site on the Drumnabreeze Road in Magheralin where the blaze happened. Picture by Ann McManus
The entrance to a mobile home site on the Drumnabreeze Road in Magheralin where the blaze happened. Picture by Ann McManus The entrance to a mobile home site on the Drumnabreeze Road in Magheralin where the blaze happened. Picture by Ann McManus

AROUND £500,000 of damage has been caused to more than a dozen mobile homes targeted in an arson attack in Co Down.

Fourteen camper vans and two caravans were destroyed in the blaze at a site on Drumnabreeze Road, Magheralin.

The Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it is believed one mobile home was deliberately set alight and positioned in such a way that the flames spread to the others.

Police are investigating the arson attack, which happened on Sunday night.

PSNI Inspector Gregory Beckett said: "Around 15 mobile homes, with a total value in the region of half a million pounds, were destroyed by a fire which was reported to police shortly before midnight.

"Enquiries are at a very early stage and we are appealing for witnesses."

A spokeswoman for the NIFRS said three fire appliances from Lurgan and Dromore were called to the scene at around 11.45pm.

"Firefighters dealt with a fire involving 14 camper vans, two caravans, one skip and a coal bunker," she said.

"The cause of the fire was determined as deliberate.

"The incident was dealt with at 1.35am."