Northern Ireland

Fire at Turkish Barber shop in Antrim treated as suspected arson

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann

A FIRE at a Turkish Barber shop in Antrim, which only opened last week, is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

Tyres were reportedly set alight and put in the shop on High Street on Monday night.

Three fire appliances attended the blaze in the mid-terrace building between 7.30pm and 8pm.

The inside of the shop was gutted, while slight smoke damage was caused to the neighbouring buildings, including a pizza takeaway next door.

Police said they are not treating the attack as a hate crime at this stage.

A PSNI spokesman said: "We are treating this incident as deliberate and I would appeal for anyone who may have information which could assist our investigation or who noticed any suspicious activity in the area at the time to contact detectives at Antrim".

The inside of the shop was gutted. Picture by Mal McCann
The inside of the shop was gutted. Picture by Mal McCann The inside of the shop was gutted. Picture by Mal McCann

Gareth Harman, who is the landlord of the premises, said he had no idea why the shop would be targeted.

"He's just a real decent guy," he told Q Radio.

"I've only known him a short time, but we have never had any issues with him, he's been a great, great guy.

"We have been in business here ourselves for 57 years, we've never had anything like this to happen to any of our properties, it's very, very sad, everybody is gutted

"I feel sorry for Michael and his family, they have put a lot of effort into it.

"They were family members down last night that would have been helping out setting up the property, they started there at the start of January kitting it out and they worked at it night and day."

Antrim Mayor Paul Michael visited the scene. Picture by Mal McCann
Antrim Mayor Paul Michael visited the scene. Picture by Mal McCann Antrim Mayor Paul Michael visited the scene. Picture by Mal McCann

Alliance councillor Neil Kelly said it was "extremely distressing that a local business has been targeted in such a way".

"Besides the fact the owners will have to pick up the pieces after the full extent of the damage is determined, somebody could have been seriously injured or even killed in this attack.

"Thankfully on this occasion no-one was injured, but we must do all we can to protect people and retailers locally. Antrim is a welcoming place for all and we must stand together to ensure it stays that way."

Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Montgomery said: "It goes without saying that this sort of attack is not welcome.

"The last thing we need is reckless arson attacks on any business premises, which could have serious consequences for passers-by or the emergency services."

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a Turkish barbers in Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann