POLICE IN ARMAGH are investigating an arson attack at the home of prominent loyalist Willie Frazer in the early hours of this morning.
According to the PSNI, patrolling officers noticed smoke in the Tandragee Road area at about 1.15am. They worked to locate the source and found a car on fire outside Frazer’s property.
The vehicle was “very close” to the house, which was evacuated immediately. Frazer, who had been asleep, was brought to safety.
Officers also alerted other residents living in the area, driving a neighbour’s van away from the blaze.
Fire services were informed but police used hand-held extinguishers and a garden hose to dampen down the fire to prevent it from spreading ahead of their arrival.
The car was completely destroyed but nobody was injured during the incident.
“This was a very dangerous fire and due to the quick-thinking actions of officers out on patrol, no one was hurt,” said Sergeant Gwyn. “The consequences if we had not caught this fire in time do not bear thinking about.”
In a statement on his website, Frazer said a fire-proof door saved him.
“The door stopped the flames but the roof started to go on fire, the very clock in the kitchen had stared to melt and the smoke was building up inside the house. This was nothing but attempted murder.”
He added that he would not submit to intimidation. Frazer has been in the spotlight again recently because of his involvement with the Union flag protests in Belfast.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police at 0845 600 8000. House-to-house enquiries are also underway.
(YouTube Credit: William Frazer)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say