Northern Ireland

Police treating fire in Belfast as racially-motivated hate crime

The fire happened in the Sandy Row area shortly after 3.35am on Friday
The fire happened in the Sandy Row area shortly after 3.35am on Friday

Police are treating a fire in south Belfast as a racially-motivated hate crime.

The blaze happened at commercial premises in the Sandy Row area shortly after 3.35am on Friday.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Our officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze. 

“We are treating this as a racially-motivated hate crime.  

"Thankfully, no one was injured, but significant damage and disruption has been caused.

"As part of our ongoing enquiries, we are keen to speak to two males who were seen in the area before this incident.  

"They were described as wearing all black clothing and were travelling on foot in the direction of Schomberg Park.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dashcam, CCTV, or other footage, to contact us on 101."