Police are investigating arson in Balimena that damaged nine vehicles.
The attack took place on premises in the Pennybridge industrial area in the early hours of Wednesday morning, June 8.
A call to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was made at 2.06am when two Ballymena fire engines were present at the incident.
Of course, nine vehicles in the car service business were damaged by the fire, which was reported to the police shortly after 2 am.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus used three jets to deal with the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings.
The incident was extinguished at 2.59 am, and the cause of the fire is believed to be arson.
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Firefighters put out the flames. Photo: NIMSFO
Firefighters put out the flames. Photo: NIMSFO
Investigators want to hear witnesses, or anyone with information, or others who may have taken footage from the billboard in and around the area at the time.
SDLP adviser Eugene Reed condemned the arson of a local business.
He said: “This has caused enormous damage to a number of vehicles and given the scale of the arson and that it took place in a built-up area, we are lucky that this fire did not spread and no one was seriously or worse injured. .
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The scene at a car repair shop at the Pennybridge Industrial Estate in Balimena, where arson took place at night. Photo by Jonathan Porter / PressEye
The scene at a car repair shop at the Pennybridge Industrial Estate in Balimena, where arson took place at night. Photo by Jonathan Porter / PressEye
“At a time when people are already struggling, this senseless damage will have a huge impact on this business and the owners of these vehicles.
“This is devastating news to wake up today, and I hope that those affected will be able to recover quickly from this failure.
“I would like to thank the fire service for its efforts to put out this fire quickly and safely, and I would like to ask anyone who knows anything about what happened here to come out and help the police with their investigation.
Anyone with information can call the police on 101, citing reference 126 08/06/22.
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