Portadown: probe under way after fire at the Halifax

An investigation is under way today (Wednesday) after a fire at a bank in Portadown last night, which is being treated as arson.

Fire crews which had rushed to the scene at the Halifax, which is located at the corner of the town's Woodhouse Street and High Street, managed to get the blaze under control.

PSNI Inspector Browne said, “Shortly before 8:40pm, it was reported that a man had poured a liquid on the front of a building in the area and set it on fire."

"It was reported that the male caused damage to an ATM machine with a hammer, which was located in the area. Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended and the fire was extinguished, with damage caused to the building following the incident. There were no reports of anyone inside the premises."

“A 54 year old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life with intent, possessing offensive weapon in public place and possessing article with intent to damage property. He remains in police custody at this time."

The area had been cordoned off overnight but the town centre has since reopened to traffic