Councillor's anger over arson attack on car
An SDLP councillor today claimed an arson attack which destroyed her daughter’s car in their Strabane home could have destroyed other houses.
Councillor Ann Bell was “at a loss” to explain why her daughter’s car was targeted last night in the attack which occurred around 11pm at their Knockavoe Crescent home.
But she was thankful the fire did not spread to neighbouring homes.
“I am glad nobody was hurt because the blaze could easily have spread if the car had blown,” she said.
“We have old people living next door and we would have been devastated if the fire had spread to their house or our own.
“My daughter had just filled up the car with diesel.”
Councillor Bell, who is a member of the local district policing partnership, had received no threats or warnings from police about any threat to her personal security.
The SDLP councillor did not know whether it was her or her daughter who were being targeted.
“I work hard for people on the ground. I am not aware of having any enemies,” she said.
“The same goes for my daughter. She lives for her car and her computer.
“She has had it a year and had just put alloy wheels on it and a new CD player. Now it is burnt. It is just heartbreaking. She cannot even go to work today.”
A neighbour watching television noticed a flash at around 10.50pm and immediately alerted the Bell family.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze.
The car sustained extensive damage to the front and near side.
Police in Strabane have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Knockavoe Crescent at around 11pm last night to help their investigation.
