A house in Co Down has been extensively damaged after an arson attack in the early hours of the morning.

Police said the attack happened at the house in Kilkeel at around 2am in the Drummond Walk area.

The PSNI said nobody was at home at the time of the attack.

PSNI Detective Constable McVeigh said: “Shortly after 2am, police attended the scene in the Drummond Walk area to find the front windows had been smashed, an accelerant poured inside and the property set alight.

“Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire which caused severe damage to the front door and inside of the house.

“Thankfully, there was no one home at the time.

“We are treating this as arson with intent to endanger life and our officers remain at the scene conducting enquiries.

“We are appealing to anyone with any information, including any dash-cam or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 99 of 19/02/24.”

News Catch Up – Wednesday 19 February