Woman tied up by burglars rescued from house fire

Police have praised the quick thinking of two members of the public who saved a woman who was tied up inside a house which was on fire.

Press Eye
Author: Naomi HollandPublished 20th Feb 2018
Last updated 20th Feb 2018

The victim had been restrained by two masked men who burgled her County Down home at lunchtime yesterday.

The blaze was started in an upstairs bedroom and caused significant damage to the house on School Road in Clough.

The robbers made off with an iPad and a laptop computer.

A PSNI statement said:

"It was reported that shortly after 1pm two masked males entered a house in the area.

A female, aged in her 50’s, who was in the house at the time was tied up by the intruders who made off with an IPad and a Mac Book.

"During the incident a fire was started in an upstairs room.

"Two members of the public who were passing at the time came to the aid of the female and assisted her to safety. Thankfully due to the quick thinking of the passers-by the female was not injured but left shocked by her ordeal."

"Detective Sergeant Johnston is appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious vehicles or persons in the area this afternoon or anyone with any information about the incident to contact Detectives at Ardmore Police Station on 101, quoting references 952 19/02/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."