Police in Derry/Londonderry are appealing for witnesses and information about a fire in the Waterside in the city on Thursday afternoon, 1st August, which is being investigated as arson. 

Neighbourhood officers on patrol saw a large plume of smoke coming from the roof of the vacant building - a former leisure centre - in Richill Park and immediately contacted the NIFRS, who attended and have confirmed the cause of the blaze was deliberate ignition. Included in the damage as a result of the blaze was equipment inside the building.  

Police are appealing to anyone with information, or who was in the area around this time, or prior to 4pm, and saw any suspicious activity or has footage, including dash cam, to get in touch.

The number to call with information is 101, quoting 1088 of 01/08/24, or make a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/; always 999 in an emergency.