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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."