Larne: arson attack and shots fired

Shots were fired and a car set alight in separate incidents in Larne in the early hours of this morning (Friday).

Police probing the incidents are trying to establish of they were linked.

In the first instance a number of shots were fired at a house in the St John's Place area - then later a car was set on fire at nearby Hampton Crescent trapping five people inside a property.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Shortly before 12.30am, police received a report that a number of shots had been fired at a house in the St John’s Place area.

“A short time later at approximately 1.05am a report was received that a car had been set on fire in the nearby Hampton Crescent area trapping five people inside the property.

“Officers along with colleagues from the Norther Ireland Fire and Rescue Services attended and the occupants were evacuated safely.

“It is believed that windows on the vehicle had been smashed and a petrol bomb had been thrown inside.

“This is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and enquiries are ongoing.

“I am appealing to anyone with any information on either attack to contact police on 101 quoting reference 26 of 16/08/24.”