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60 pigeons killed in arson attack | 60 pigeons killed in arson attack |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Almost 60 birds have been killed in a fire after arsonists targeted a pigeon fanciers' club on the outskirts of Belfast. | Almost 60 birds have been killed in a fire after arsonists targeted a pigeon fanciers' club on the outskirts of Belfast. |
The blaze in two sheds beside a house in the Twinbrook estate was reported just after 0330 BST on Friday. | The blaze in two sheds beside a house in the Twinbrook estate was reported just after 0330 BST on Friday. |
It is believed liquid was poured on the loft before it was set on fire. Twelve birds which survived were so badly injured they will have to be put down. | |
The back of the owner's house was also damaged. | |
A family who live next door managed to escape unharmed. | A family who live next door managed to escape unharmed. |
The police have said they are treating the incident as arson and are trying to establish a motive for the attack. | The police have said they are treating the incident as arson and are trying to establish a motive for the attack. |
The birds' owner, Kevin Doherty, said it was lucky no-one was injured. | The birds' owner, Kevin Doherty, said it was lucky no-one was injured. |
"My neighbours came across banging the doors to get us up because the sheds were blazing," he said. | "My neighbours came across banging the doors to get us up because the sheds were blazing," he said. |
"You couldn't even open the doors because of the flames, the heat was unbelievable. | "You couldn't even open the doors because of the flames, the heat was unbelievable. |
"By the time the fire brigade got here everything was gutted, all gutted." | "By the time the fire brigade got here everything was gutted, all gutted." |
Peter Martin, the chairman of Fortfield Pigeon Club, said the attack had put Mr Doherty's work back five years. | Peter Martin, the chairman of Fortfield Pigeon Club, said the attack had put Mr Doherty's work back five years. |
"I would say in total £10,000 minimum to put him back to were he was," he said. | "I would say in total £10,000 minimum to put him back to were he was," he said. |
"But it's not the monetary end, it's the time, the effort and the next five years he's going to have to spend redoing everything that he's done so far." | "But it's not the monetary end, it's the time, the effort and the next five years he's going to have to spend redoing everything that he's done so far." |
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