Two masked males in dark clothing area believed to have started a "number of fires" at an apartment block in Belfast city centre on Friday, a spokesperson for the PSNI has said.
Some residents were forced to leave the building as an evacuation of the apartment block was carried out. There were no reports of any injuries.
A PSNI Detective Sergeant said the arson attack could have "caused untold damage and suffering".
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A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Detectives are investigating the report of an arson attack at an apartment block at College Square North, in Belfast City Centre, on Friday 21st March.
"It is believed that shortly after 10.20pm, two males in dark clothing with masks on entered the bin storage area below the apartment block and started a number of fires. Fire Service personnel attended the scene and extinguished the fire which left extensive damage to the storage area. Some residents were forced to evacuate the building for a period of time, however, there were no reports of any injuries."
Detective Sergeant Leeman said: “The mindless actions of the men involved in this incident could have caused untold damage and suffering to the residents of the apartment block. We are reviewing CCTV in the area and are conducting a number of other enquiries to identify these men."
The officer added: "I would ask anyone who has any information, or who was in the area at the time and captured dash-cam footage which could help with our investigation, to call detectives in Musgrave on 101, quoting reference number 1919 21/03/25.
"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
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