Repairs to begin on Newcastle homes damaged in arson attacks

Repairs to begin on Newcastle homes damaged in arson attacks

11 January 2017

WORK to repair homes targeted by arsonists during two separate incidents in Newcastle within a matter of weeks of each other is expected to start in late March.

The Housing Executive has confirmed contractors will be on site to repair public sector homes at Bracken Avenue and Burrendale Park Road which were targeted in November and December respectively.

A wheelie bin was set on fire and pushed against oil tanks adjacent to flats at Bracken Avenue in an incident last November which caused damage to four homes, while early last month arsonists targeted flats at the Burrendale Park Road.

In this attack, four properties were extensively damaged after fire ripped through an apartment block, with four others sustaining extensive smoke damage.

There have been a total of seven arson attacks at the sprawling Burrendale Park Road estate over recent years — each following a chillingly similar pattern with heating oil tanks at the rear of the properties set on fire.

Fire chiefs say it is fortunate no lives were lost during the most recent incident a few weeks ago which forced residents to flee for their lives in the middle of the night. Residents in the area say those responsible for the fires and putting people’s lives at risk must be caught.

During the December attack, the intensity of the blaze was such that it spread to properties at the nearby Mourne View estate, destroying one man’s oil tank which set his garage on fire. The fire also cracked double glazing in an adjoining property.

At the height of the blaze, five fire appliances and 25 firefighters were in attendance, taking just over four hours to extinguish the blaze. 

Fire chiefs say the quick actions of the firefighters helped save lives and warned the consequences of the latest arson attack at the housing estate could have been “fatal,” praising the professional response of all the firefighters involved.

This week, a spokesman for the Housing Executive confirmed repairs to homes at Bracken Avenue and Burrendale Park Road are scheduled to start shortly.

He confirmed repairs to properties at Bracken Avenue were due to commence this month but have been delayed in order that homes damaged recently can be added to the scheme.

“Local housing officers have been in contact throughout this time with those affected and alternative accommodation was arranged,” explained a spokesperson for the Housing Executive who confirmed the organisation has been working closely with its partner agencies in relation to the matter.

The spokesman also said the housing body is keen for anyone with information in relation to the arson attacks at the Newcastle estate to contact the police on the non-emergency 101 number.

Local politicians have also called for an end to the arson attacks and condemned those responsible for deliberately starting fires at homes with people inside, describing their actions as “reckless.”

Elected representatives are also keen anyone who can help police with their enquiries to contact them or use the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 which allows people to provide information anonymously.