A boy and a girl are to quizzed by police about a fire at a new house under construction in Co Antrim which is being treated as arson.
Fire crews attended the blaze at the three-storey property in the Hartley Hall housing development in Greenisland on Saturday shortly before 4pm.
The detached home, which is understood to have been close to completion, has been substantially damaged.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service told The Irish News that they are treating the incident as a “deliberate ignition”.
He said the report of the blaze at the “three-storey house under construction” was received at 3.51pm with fire crews from numerous stations including Greenisland, Whitla and Westland attending.
Crews dealt with the blaze by 7.19pm.
Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner posted video footage from the scene on Saturday, which showed an intense blaze at the property.
Posted by Councillor Aaron Skinner on Saturday 12 October 2024
It comes amid reports of a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area in recent days involving young children.
One report suggested that children were seen in the area on Friday night throwing rocks at a nearby property.
A man living in the area told The Irish News: “These kids who are being caught up in this sort of thing need to realise that they could be ruining their own lives.”
He added: “This fire could have spread to nearby properties where there are young families living.
“A new playpark is being built across the road from this house, if it had of been opened, kids could have been playing there.”
The fire comes a month after substantial damage was caused when a blaze broke out at a church in Greenisland.
Three young boys, two aged 11 and a 10-year-old, were initially charged with arson over the fire that swept through The Church of the Holy Name on September 1.
Criminal proceedings were ended before the boys were set to make their first court appearances.
They will instead be dealt with through a youth diversionary programme aimed at achieving a restorative outcome.
The PSNI said its officers attended the scene on Saturday.
“Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries,” a spokesman said.
“A young boy and a young girl were arrested on suspicion of arson. They are due to return for interview at a later date, and enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident.”
Police added that officers had received a report of criminal damage caused to a property in the same area on October 11.
It was reported that damage had been caused to the side door of the property, and that rubble and bricks had been located in the garden.
