Police in Newry have praised the the quick response of officers and members of the public who were in the right place at the right time, saving residents during a house fire – the source of which is believed to have been arson.
A police spokesperson said in the early hours of this morning (September 14), officers from B Section Ardmore were performing a vehicle checkpoint in the vicinity of Armagh Road when they were alerted to a house fire close by.
On arrival officers quickly alerted the occupants who were not aware their house was on fire.
Assuming a role typically considered beyond their duties, the officers used fire extinguishers to bring the fire under control and shut off the electrics until arrival of the fire service.
Said the spokesperson: “The actions of the officers and member of the public have undoubtedly saved lives and prevented serious damage to property.”
NI Fire and Rescue service confirmed they attended a report of a house fire in the Chequer Court area at 3.18am.
Two appliances were tasked to the incident from Newry Fire Station.
A spokesperson explained: “Firefighters were called to reports of an electrical box on fire at a house on Chequer Court, Newry.
“Firefighters used one jet, one extinguisher and one CO2 extinguisher to extinguish the fire.
“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition and Firefighters left the scene at 5.07am.”
