Two adults are fighting for their lives following a “despicable” arson attack on a house in Dungannon on Monday night.
Two children are understood to be in a stable condition while one officer collapsed at the scene having heroically entered the burning house in the Cunninghams Lane area.
Just after 8.30pm local policing officers responded to report that children were trapped in a residential property.
Police were the first emergency responders to arrive on the scene, and when they did arrive, the house was already well alight.
Officers obtained two ladders from neighbouring properties and were able to rescue an unresponsive 70-year-old woman and a young child from the rear of the property.
A number of the officers then very bravely entered the house and brought the second child, and a 37-year-old man to safety.
The adults remain in a critical condition in hospital today, whilst the children are presently in a stable condition.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton praised those officers who risked their lives to save the occupants.
“We can confirm that this fire was started deliberately,” he said.
“It’s hard to comprehend that mindless cruelty of the kind of this act and the panic and fear that it caused to those in the home is absolutely unimaginable.
“Three persons have been seriously injured, and I would reiterate again that the thoughts of everybody within the PSNI are with them today.”
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and remains in custody at this time.
Eight officers from the local policing team in Dungannon, two sergeants and six constables were taken to hospital after the fire, including one officer who collapsed after rescuing one of the children from the property.
DCC Singleton continued: “I’m extremely thankful that our colleagues were released in the early hours of this morning following treatment, and although they’re still suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation, will be absent from work for a period of time, they are thankfully all okay.
“We’re extremely proud of what our officers did at the scene last night, and we want to put that on the record at a time when we’re advertising police recruitment for new officers, their actions serve as a very powerful demonstration of what policing here is all about.
“It’s about putting the safety of our community first. It’s about running towards danger and it’s about demonstrating true courage and selflessness.
“We also want to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, as well as the residents of Cunninghams Lane for their continued support and understanding.
“A police cordon remains in place as we work alongside the fire service to establish the cause of this fire, and we thank the local community again for their ongoing patience and cooperation.”
Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1668 of 03/02/25. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have relevant CCTV, doorbell or other footage.”
You can also submit a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ and Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
