Residents evacuated after arson attack on derelict building

Residents have been evacuated from a neighbouring property following a suspected arson attack in Londonderry.

Police are appealing for information about the fire, which was reported at 6.05am on Saturday at a derelict building in the Grainan Drive area.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Officers attended the scene, where colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, were already present, extinguishing the fire.

“There was no one in the building at the time and no injuries were reported.

“However, residents from the adjoining property were evacuated as a safety precaution.

“This is being treated as arson and our inquiries are ongoing.

“While, thankfully, no one was hurt as a result of the fire, it could have turned out very differently.”