POLICE in Co Derry are treating a fire that destroyed the rural home of an elderly woman as suspicious.
The blaze broke out at the property in the Brone Park area of Garvagh at the weekend, and was reported to emergency services at around 9am yesterday morning.
The house was unoccupied at the time of the blaze, which had caused considerable damage before being reported due to its remote location. It is understood the householder, believed to be in her 90s, was being treated in hospital for illness when the fire occurred.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “There were no reports of any injuries as a result of the fire which is being treated as suspicious at this time.
“Anyone with any information about this incident or who may be able to help with the investigation, is asked to call officers in Limavady on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 683 30/01/22.”
A spokesperson for the NI Fire and Rescue Service told the Irish News that they became aware of the blaze yesterday morning after being alerted by NIE Networks, who were attending a nearby property. Two fire appliances were brought to the house and both had left before midday after the fire extinguished.
SDLP councillor for the Bann area, Helena Dallat O’Driscoll, said she was “relieved” that the house was empty at the time of the fire, but said of the elderly resident: “My sympathies are with her as the loss of her property will no doubt be deeply distressing.
“The fact that the PSNI has now confirmed they are treating this as suspicious it is very worrying and will come as a shock to those in the local community. I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist the PSNI with their enquiries.”