A house in Derry's Fernabby area has been extensively damaged after it was repeatedly rammed by a van.
Footage captured on social media showed at least three masked men directing the van as it continually rammed the house before being driven to a street outside and set on fire at Glenvale Road shortly before 9pm yesterday.
Witnesses then said the gang made off on foot.
Detective Inspector Jack said: "We received a report around 8:20pm that a white Ford Transit van was driven, several times, into a house, causing extensive damage. The van was then set on fire on the road, and masked men are reported to have smashed windows at the property before fleeing in two other vehicles - a red Ford Mondeo and a green Toyota Avensis...
"We are aware of a report that a shot may have been fired, however, our enquiries are at an early stage, and we are working to establish exactly what occurred and a motive for this completely reckless attack.
“I want to make a number of appeals this morning, in particular about the movements of the white Ford Transit van, a red Ford Mondeo and a green Toyota Avensis. Did you seen any of these vehicles prior to what occurred last night? Did you see them travel together before the attack? Have you information which could help identify those responsible?
“If you can help our investigation, please contact detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference 1883 of 03/09/19.
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
Neighbours tell me that several car loads of men came to house at Glendale Road #Derry tonight. A white van rammed into front of house six times, demolishing front of home and gun shots were heard at back of property. Police have area sealed off and burnt out van still there pic.twitter.com/9nzIF67mJP
— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) September 3, 2019
There has been an incident in Glendale Road, Fernabbey #Derry. A gang of people in a van and cars attacked a house in area. A van repeatedly rammed front of house and there are reports of shots being fired at back of property. Van was set alight in middle of road. Police at scene pic.twitter.com/r1WZmQFQz7
— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) September 3, 2019
Fire crews attended the scene and put out the fire.
SDLP councillor for the area, Brian Tierney said children were playing in the area during the attack adding: "this is something which people in this area would not be accustomed to. There's a lot of shock here."
Alliance Councillor Rachael Ferguson called for an end to all violence in Derry.
“Over the last 24 hours we have seen acts of violence in our city which could have led to the loss of life or serious injury," she said.
“We have had an explosive device thrown at a house in Bonds Place and an attack on a house in Glendale Road, where shots were heard. Clearly there are people who want to bring us back to the dark days, but the majority of people in our community reject violence and want this violence to stop immediately."
We’re appealing for information after the report of a van being driven into a house in the Glendale Road area of Derry/Londonderry this evening. The van, when reversed, was set on fire. While thankfully no one was hurt, this was a reckless act. Contact us on 101.
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) September 3, 2019
