County Derry Post

A Limavady man whose house was gutted in a weekend blaze believes a sick arsonist may have been behind the fire.

By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

Tommy McGonigle’s house was one of ten damaged in a blaze that swept along a row of houses at Woodland Walk at around 8pm on Saturday.

Three houses were damaged in the blaze which police believe started at an oil tank at a vacant property.

Last night the father of one said he believes the blaze was the work of a malicious fire starter and could have wiped out his family, including his seven-month-old baby Molly.

“I think somebody could have been behind it,” he said. “Someone said there has been 14 incidents in the area in recent months, either oil tanks or garden sheds have been set on fire.

“Someone is going to be killed so the quicker those who are behind this are caught the better.”

Mr McGonigle believes members of his own family could have died if his wife had not spotted the blaze at a neighbouring property’s oil tank.

“The two tanks are beside each other and the fire spread to my tank. My wife was making a bottle for Molly when she noticed it and called me. I went out with a hose to spray down my tank but it was no good. Then a neighbour told me to leave it before the tank blew.

“We have lost almost everything. I’m staying with my brother in law and the wife and child are staying with her mother until we can get another house.”

Limavady SDLP councillor Gerry Mullan backed the fire starter theory.

“If, as believed, this was the work of a serial arsonist, I would appeal to anyone with information to give any information to the police immediately before someone loses their life.”

PSNI Inspector Tony Callaghan said the incident was very serious.

“This was a very serious incident that could potentially have resulted in the loss of lives. We are still at the early stages of our investigation and would appeal for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area on Saturday to contact our local CID office.”