A man has been arrested after a pensioner was left in a critical condition in hospital following a fire at a property in Antrim last week.
The alleged arson took place at residential premises in the Rathglynn area of the town on Tuesday January 21. At around 3:20am on the morning of the blaze it was reported to police that a property in the area was set alight, and that a woman in her 70s was inside at the time.
She was taken to hospital for treatment to burns to her hands and smoke inhalation following the incident, and at this time, she remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Today, January 29, police confirmed they had arrested man in his 30s. PSNI Detective Inspector Lenaghan said: "This morning, we arrested a 30 year-old man in the Antrim area in connection with the incident. He has been taken into custody to assist officers with their enquiries."
IN PICTURES: NI house fire "arson" where woman in her 70s was rescued
Detective Inspector Lenaghan added: "A second woman aged in her 40s was treated for both smoke inhalation and injuries to her hands, as she attempted to free the woman from the property. A man, aged in his 40s was also treated for smoke inhalation as he attempted to provide further assistance.
"Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who were already in attendance, dealt with the fire, but the property was significantly damaged, with the incident being treated as arson with intent
"Our enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and police would appeal to anyone with any information, to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 120 21/01/25. Alternatively, you can submit a report 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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