Northern Ireland

Police no longer treating fire at west Belfast flats as arson

Police were called to the scene at flats in Woodbourne Court area of west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Police were called to the scene at flats in Woodbourne Court area of west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Police were called to the scene at flats in Woodbourne Court area of west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

A man questioned by police following a fire at a block of flats in west Belfast has been released unconditionally.

Police also said they are no longer treating the blaze in the Woodbourne Court area last night as arson.

A small fire was extinguished in a property at around 10pm.

A 32-year-old man was arrested by officers probing the blaze.

The Fire and Rescue Service said four appliances from Springfield and Cadogan fire stations attended the scene.

"One male was rescued from the next door flat using a short extension ladder and firefighters carried out searches to ensure all other people were accounted for.

"Firefighters wore breathing apparatuses and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire."

The fire service also initially said the "cause of the fire was deliberate ignition".

However, police later said: "Following further investigation, police are no longer treating the fire in a block of flats in the Woodbourne Court area of west Belfast on Tuesday night as arson.

"The 32-year-old man who had been arrested has now been released unconditionally."