Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses in relation to a report of an arson incident at commercial premises in south Belfast in the early hours of this morning, Monday 17th November.

Detective Sergeant McCallum said: “Shortly before 2am, officers received and responded to a report of a fire at premises on the Ormeau Road, which subsequently spread to a residential property above it.

“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene, and extinguished the blaze.

“The occupants of the residential property were inside at the time and had to be evacuated, although thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries.

“However, this was a particularly reckless attack, and we are treating it as arson with intent to endanger life.

“Officers remain at the scene today, Monday 17th November, conducting enquiries, and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the report and saw what happened, or who has any information which might assist us, to get in touch.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 101, quoting reference number 64 of 17/11/25.”

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.