Antrim: pensioner treated for burns and smoke inhalation after arson attack

An elderly woman was taken to hospital after being inside a property that was set alight in the early hours of the morning in Antrim.

Police are treating the incident in which the property was "significantly damaged" as arson with intent.

The woman, in her 70s, has been treated for burns to her hands and smoke inhalation.

Another woman, in her 40s, was treated for similar injuries, as she attempted to free the pensioner from the residential premises in the Rathglynn area of the town.

Appealing for information, a PSNI spokesperson said: “At around 3:20am, it was reported to police that a property in the area was set alight. It was reported that a woman in her 70s was inside the property at the time. She was taken to hospital for treatment to burns to her hands and smoke inhalation following the incident.

"A woman aged in her 40s was treated for both smoke inhalation and injuries to her hands, as she attempted to free the woman from the property.

"Another man, also aged in his 40s was also treated for smoke inhalation as he attempted to provide assistance. Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who were already in attendance, dealt with the fire."