Detectives have made a second arrest following a serious fire at a house in the Cunninghams Lane area of Dungannon.
Four people are in hospital — two of them critical — following the blaze on Monday night, while eight police officers were treated for smoke inhalation.
Now, a 15-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and remains in police custody at this time, assisting with enquiries.
PSNI Detective Inspector Ryan said: “A 21-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life also remains in police custody this evening.
“Four people were taken to hospital following the fire, which occurred shortly after 8.30pm on Monday evening.
“A man aged 37 and a woman aged 70 remain in a serious condition, while two children, aged 7 and 10, are in a stable condition.
“A police cordon remains in place as officers work alongside the Fire Service to establish the cause of the fire, and we are continuing to appeal to anyone who might have any information which could assist us.”
Detectives are working to establish a motive for the “mindless” arson attack on the Co Tyrone home — but at this stage, it isn’t being treated as a hate crime.
Distressing footage from the scene showed a child screaming at an upstairs window as the exit was engulfed in flames.
A neighbour said it was “scary to watch”.
The occupants of the house are understood to be Portuguese nationals.
The 21-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident was discovered on the roof of the house.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the fire was started deliberately.
“It’s hard to comprehend the mindless cruelty of this act, and the panic and fear caused to those in the home,” he added.
He said the actions of the police officers saved lives.
Mr Singleton said detectives were “not presently treating this as a hate crime”.
Abdul Alim, who has lived in the town for 22 years, said the family who lived there were kind and considerate.
“They are a polite, good family,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
Mr Alim had been working in his Bengali Spice restaurant in Dungannon when a neighbour alerted him to the fire.
“When I got here there were at least three fire engines and police all around,” he added.
“I was just relieved to see everyone get out.
“I have spoken to the family this morning. They are in hospital but they have told me they are OK, so that was good to hear.
“I can only thank police for their actions last night.”
The family had been living in Cunninghams Lane for the last three years.
Neighbour Cidalia Freitas said she had watched the drama unfold.
“From what I know, one of the family had been out at the shop and arrived back to find the house on fire,” Ms Freitas, who lives two houses down from the incident, said.
“It was scary to watch, to hear the screams of the children.
“I’m just relieved everyone got out. They brought out one of the children with an oxygen mask and it was frightening to see.
“I do feel a little apprehensive today. A little uneasy. But we have seen nothing like this before. It was totally unexpected and we’re a little shocked and shaken today.”
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 8.30pm after reports of a house fire with children trapped.
At a PSNI briefing, Mr Singleton said: “Police were the first emergency responders to arrive at the scene and on arrival, the house was well alight.
“Officers obtained two ladders from neighbouring properties and were able to rescue an unresponsive 70-year-old woman and a young child from the rear of the property.
“A number of the officers then entered the house and brought a second child, and a 37-year-old man to safety.
“The adults remain in a critical condition in hospital today, while the children, thankfully, as we understand are presenting in a stable condition.”
Mr Singleton said the 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody.
He added: “Eight officers from the Local Policing Team in Dungannon, two sergeants and six constables, were taken to hospital after the fire, including one officer who collapsed after rescuing one of the children from the property
“I am extremely thankful that our colleagues were released in the early hours of this morning following treatment, although they are still suffering the after effects of smoke inhalation and will be absent from work as a result.
“I want to acknowledge the bravery of our police officers, whose only focus when entering the burning building was the safety of those inside.”
Mr Singleton urged people not to share videos and photographs of the incident circulating on social media.
The Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call shortly after 8.30pm on Monday and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene, as well as rapid response paramedics.
SDLP councillor Karol McQuade said the “heroic actions” of the emergency services prevented a major tragedy.
“Police officers put themselves at serious risk to rescue these people and save their lives, suffering the effects of smoke inhalation in the process,” he said.
“This was a terrible incident that put four people and our emergency services in danger.
“The quick-thinking of police officers and support from neighbours was key in making sure this fire wasn’t much worse.”
He said people in the community were “reeling”.
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it was “a very disturbing and concerning incident”.
“The house fire and rescue operation has shocked the community,” she said.
“My thoughts are with those currently recovering from the incident, as the effects are not just physical but mental also.”
Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said his thoughts were with those affected by the house fire.
“This is a deeply traumatic incident for the family and everyone involved,” he said.
“I commend our frontline responders for their swift action in safely evacuating all residents.
“I want to particularly pay tribute to the police officers who risked their lives and entered the home, which was engulfed in flames, to bring this family and others to safety.”
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong the incident was “deeply concerning and a shock to the entire Dungannon community”.
“The quick response and bravery of our police officers without a doubt saved lives last night,” she said.
To assist police, they can be contacted on 101 quoting reference 1668 of 03/02/25.
You can also submit a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ and Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org