Pet Dog Dies After Petrol-Bomb Attack on Newry House That Injured Residents

Detectives are investigating a petrol-bomb attack on a house in Newry in the early hours of Wednesday morning that left residents injured and resulted in the death of the family’s pet dog.

The incident was reported at around 2.20am after a suspected petrol bomb was thrown through the living room window of a property in the Clonmore area, close to the Armagh Road.

Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who worked to extinguish the fire.

Detective Inspector Moffett said a man in his 50s was in the living room at the time and sustained a serious burn injury.

Three other people, including a teenager, were upstairs when the fire broke out and managed to escape the burning property. However, the family’s pet dog died in the house fire.

The man remains in hospital, while the other three occupants were treated for smoke inhalation.

Detective Inspector Moffett described the incident as extremely serious, stating that the property was deliberately set on fire with clear intent to risk life and destroy a family home. A neighbouring property also suffered smoke damage as a result of the attack.

The incident is being investigated as arson with intent to endanger life by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Police enquiries are ongoing, and anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or who may have dash-cam, CCTV, or other relevant footage, is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 93 14/01/26.

Reports can also be submitted online via the non-emergency reporting form on the PSNI website, or information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.