FIRE fighters battled for more than an hour to protect dozens of homes from a potential inferno after a stolen car was set ablaze in a petrol station forecourt.
Two petrol pumps and a car were already alight at the self-service `garage' on Rosetta Road in south Belfast when firefighters arrived from Central station and nearby Knock shortly before 1am yesterday.
The white Ford Fiesta car, which had been stolen 24 hours earlier from the Braniel estate in east Belfast, was "completely destroyed"
A spokesman for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters used one 70ml jet and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire."
They were finally able to hand the scene over to the PSNI at 2.09am when they were satisfied that there was no further risk to the public.
One resident posted footage of the drama on social media, saying she had been "woken up by a massive explosion and the garage round the corner on Rosetta Road was on fire".
Describing the smell as "horrific", she paid tribute to firefighters "who got it under control pretty quickly".
The filling station suffered "a considerable amount of damage as a result" and PSNI Detective Sergeant William Arnott said it was "extremely fortunate we are not dealing with a more serious incident this morning following this unbelievably reckless act".
"It does not bear thinking about what could have happened to families living nearby if this fire had spread to the petrol pumps of this filling station," Mr Arnott said.
"Whoever carried out this irresponsible act did not care who could get hurt."
Police believe the car that was set on fire had been stolen from Southland Dale at 2.50am on Monday.
The policeman appealed "to anyone who has information about either of these incidents or anyone who may have seen a white Ford Fiesta being driven in a suspicious manner between December 16 and the time of this arson attack to contact detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting references 66 19/12/19 and 176 16/12/19."
Yesterday, the cause of the fire remained "under investigation".
Alliance councillor Michael Long said it had been a "reckless" act, with "so many houses within a 50-yard radius".
"The potential for a major disaster was there. It is just terrible to see this level of destruction.
"It was totally reckless behaviour. We have to be so thankful to the emergency services for helping protect life and anyone with information on this incident or those behind it to contact police with it immediately.
"The people who did this must be stopped."
DUP councillor Tommy Sandford said he and a colleague met police earlier on Thursday to discuss concerns over car thefts and burglaries.
"People work hard to maintain their own property. For individuals to carry out this criminal behaviour within the community is utterly deplorable," he said.
SDLP councillor, Séamas de Faoite thanked the firefighters "who once again reacted quickly and professionally to protect people and property in our community".
"We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude," he said.
The filling station has changed livery within the last year following confusion over whether it was part of the `Go' group as its signage suggested.
In July 2018, fuel pumps and a vending machine were damaged in an earlier attack, also shortly before 1am.
People living nearby said they believe it has recently changed ownership.
