Northern Ireland

Man threatened and doused in accelerant during Co Antrim arson attack

Police at the scene on the Whitehill Road in Carnlough yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann
Police at the scene on the Whitehill Road in Carnlough yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann Police at the scene on the Whitehill Road in Carnlough yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann

A MAN was threatened and doused in heating oil during an arson attack at a house in Co Antrim.

Police are investigating after masked men broke into the property on the Whitehill Road in Carnlough on Sunday at around 7pm.

A police spokeswoman said the occupant had been retrieving items from the roof space when he found the gang in the house. They threatened him and demanded money before dousing him with accelerant.

They then set fire to the property causing substantial damage and a vehicle outside was also set alight.

"It was reported around 7pm that the victim, who had been retrieving items from his roof space, noticed two masked men in the hallway of his property and another on the stairs," she said.

"All three were masked.

"One of the men then demanded money from the victim. During this time heating oil was dispersed around the property and a vehicle which was parked outside and both were set alight.

"One of the suspects then threatened the victim before dousing his trousers with the accelerant.

"The suspects then made off in the direction of the Whitehill Road."

Police said one of the suspects is described as being more than 6ft tall and of stocky build with green eyes, while another was around 30-years-old.

The third suspect is described as around 5ft 8in tall and of a thin build.

She added: "Our enquiries are ongoing and anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious activity, and in particular anyone who may have any dash-cam or other footage, is asked to contact police on 101."