DETECTIVES IN NORTHERN Ireland arrested a 32-year-old woman earlier today on suspicion of intimidation.

The PSNI said she was helping them with their investigation into a number of recent incidents at the Lenamore Park estate in Newtownards, county Down.

The suspect was released on police bail pending further enquiries.

In the early hours of this morning, a 38-year-old woman and her three children were rescued from a house fire by police and a neighbour in Lenamore Park.

Investigating officers described the sectarian attack as “particularly reckless and cowardly”. Area Commander CI Michael McDonald said there could have been much more serious consequences to the arson.

At about 2am, emergency services were called to the house and rescued the three children – a two-year-old boy, a seven-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl. Their mother also escaped uninjured after police and a neighbour climbed an adjoining flat roof. No one were injured but the family is said to be “badly shaken” by the ordeal.

“The presence of smoke alarms in the house undoubtedly gave the family the advanced warning they needed to allow them move away from the seat of the fire and most of the smoke,” said McDonald. “Thankfully the family were uninjured in the fire.”

“I am also very proud of the quick reactions of my officers and the neighbour who helped them rescue the children and I would ask other members of the public from neighbouring properties to contact us with any information they may have or if they noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area, so that we might bring those responsible to justice.”

According to RTÉ, flammable liquid was poured through the letter box of the home and set alight.