Omagh arson: Family ‘lucky to get out’

AN Omagh man has spoken of the harrowing ordeal his family faced in the aftermath of an arson attack that engulfed their home in Winter Grove.

The incident, occurring shortly before 3.45am on Wednesday morning, marked the second such attack on their property within four years.

Mr Greenaway said the family, which includes two teenagers, were alerted to the blaze when his wife heard the smoking alarm going off in the hall and raised the alarm.

“I could see the orange glow around the front door when I looked down the stairs,” he explained.

“I wasn’t sure if we were going to get out or not.”

Mr Greenaway stated that whilst the fire was started at the front entrance of the property, the interior of the house has been destroyed by smoke damage.

“There’s no electrics around the front door, so the fire didn’t start itself,” he said.

“Luckily, we all managed to get out and our next-door neighbour managed to extinguish the worst of the fire with buckets of water before the fire brigade arrived.”

Mr Greenaway, who was supposed to be attending a family wedding in Newtownards today, further explained that this is the second time he and his family have been targeted in such an attack.

“This Monday will be four years to the day that the house was first attacked.

“The last time, the whole side of the house was completely burned.”

Mr Greenaway also noted that both attacks took place at around the same time in the early hours of the morning.

“I just don’t know why this is happening,” he added.

“We get on well with everybody in the area and we have fantastic neighbours.”

During the attack, numerous family pets were inside the property, including three dogs and a budgie, who all managed to escape unharmed.

Following the Greenaway family’s lucky escape from the blaze on Wednesday morning, they were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has described the attack as ‘blood-chilling’.

The West Tyrone MP said, “It is blood-chilling to think of the terrible tragedy the residents could have been facing today as a result of this cowardly arson attack.

“I would like to pay tribute to the prompt response of the emergency services to this incident and in averting potentially more serious consequences.

“I would appeal to anyone who has information which may assist inquiries to immediately bring it forward.”

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the incident which was caused by flammable liquid being poured through a letter box.

Detective Inspector Winters said,“This was an extremely reckless incident, and we are grateful to our colleagues in the Fire Service for tackling this fire, which could have had very serious consequences for those affected.

“An investigation is underway, and I am appealing to anyone who may have any information which may assist us, including CCTV, dash-cam or mobile phone footage, to get in touch by calling 101, and quoting reference number 187 of 03/04/24.”

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.