Police appeal for information on 'deliberate' fire at Magherafelt home

The incident, which took place in the early hours of Sunday (November 28) was attended by fire crews from both Magherafelt and Maghera.

The Fire Service said that no one was found during a search of the property, but that the cause of the fire "appeared deliberate".

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said: "NIFRS responded to a fire at a mid-terraced house at King Street, Magherafelt.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets and a covering jet to extinguish the blaze.

"Smoke alarms were activated by the fire. The cause of the fire appeared deliberate. Fire crews from Magherafelt and Maghera stations attended the incident."

In all, three fire appliances were called to the scene - with fire crews finishing at the scene just after 6am.

Police, who are now probing the 4.58am blaze said it was reported to them shortly after 5am.

"Police and NIFRS attended and the fire was extinguished," a PSNI spokesperson said. "Damage was caused to the interior of the property as a result.

"Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact officers in Magherafelt on 101 quoting reference number 306 of 27/11/16. Information can also be passed anonymously via the Independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."