Firefighters spent two hours battling blaze after car was torched in arson attack in Portadown

By Carmel Robinson
Published 7th Mar 2023, 10:06 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2023, 13:59 BST
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A number of cars and sheds were destroyed in Portadown on Monday night in a blaze which took firefighters more than two hours to extinguish

Firefighters attended the fire on the Moy Road area (Scotch Street) which the NI Fire and Rescue Service has described as ‘deliberate ignition’.

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Firefighters work to extinguish blaze as cars and sheds destroyed in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.Firefighters work to extinguish blaze as cars and sheds destroyed in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.
Firefighters work to extinguish blaze as cars and sheds destroyed in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.

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A spokesperson for the owner of the sheds pleaded with people with information to contacted the police.

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She said: “If anybody was driving along the Moy Road (Scotch street) between 22.30pm and 23.20pm last night and noticed any suspicious behaviour around the sheds next door to River Ridge could you please get in touch or contact police please.

She added: “It seems someone decided to set a newly modified car on fire which then caused a secondary fire to the sheds.”

Fire damaged cars and sheds in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.Fire damaged cars and sheds in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.
Fire damaged cars and sheds in the Scotch Street area of Portadown last night.

She revealed that the culprits broke the back window of the car with a tyre and doused it in petrol.

A spokesperson for the NI Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call at 10.58pm regarding a fire on the Moy Road, Portadown.

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One Fire Appliance from Portadown Fire Station and another from Lurgan Fire Station attended the incident.

The spokesperson added: “Firefighters were called to a vehicle on fire that had spread to a nearby shed. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. The incident was dealt with by 1.13am and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition.”

It is understood the sheds were used by a garage mechanic who fixes and upgrades vehicles.

PSNI Sergeant Campbell said: “It was reported to Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service that a car parked in the area was on fire. Local officers attended to support Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service colleagues, who extinguished the fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed and the premises were also damaged as a result.“Enquiries are continuing, and at this stage the fire is being treated as deliberate.“We would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to this investigation, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number CW 2053 of 06/03/23 . Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”