Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a fire at a residential property in the Galhaun area of Downpatrick in the early hours of this morning, Friday 6th March.

Detective Sergeant Emerson said: “It’s believed that sometime between 1.20am and 1.30am, a wheelie bin was placed at the front door of a flat and set alight.

“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene, and extinguished the fire, which resulted in damage being caused to the door.

“One man who was inside the property at the time of the incident managed to escape via a window.

“Enquiries are ongoing this morning to establish the circumstances of the incident, which is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life, and anyone with any information is asked to contact detectives.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 47 of 06/03/26.”

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.