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Willie Frazer: Car destroyed in arson attack at his Markethill Home Willie Frazer: Car destroyed in arson attack at his Markethill Home
(35 minutes later)
There has been an arson attack outside the home of the loyalist campaigner Willie Frazer in County Armagh.There has been an arson attack outside the home of the loyalist campaigner Willie Frazer in County Armagh.
A car outside his property on the Tandragee Road, Markethill, was set alight in the early hours of Sunday. A car at his property on the Tandragee Road, outside Markethill, was set alight in the early hours of Sunday.
A passing police patrol saw the fire at about 01:15 GMT. They alerted Mr Frazer and brought him to safety.A passing police patrol saw the fire at about 01:15 GMT. They alerted Mr Frazer and brought him to safety.
The 52-year-old has blamed republicans for the attack and claimed he has been targeted because of his involvement with the union flag protests. He blamed republicans. He claimed he was targeted because of his role in the union flag protests and allegations he has made about fraud in south Armagh.
Mr Frazer is a high-profile member of the recently formed Ulster People's Forum.Mr Frazer is a high-profile member of the recently formed Ulster People's Forum.
The protest group was set up in the wake of a vote taken by Belfast City Council in December that restricted the number of days the flag is flown at the city hall.The protest group was set up in the wake of a vote taken by Belfast City Council in December that restricted the number of days the flag is flown at the city hall.
Garden hoseGarden hose
The burnt car was parked in the driveway of Mr Frazer's home and part of the bungalow sustained scorch damage, including a kitchen door and guttering. Mr Frazer was sleeping when the police patrol raised the alarm. They managed to wake him and got him out of the house safely.
Mr Frazer was sleeping when the police raised the alarm. The burning car was parked in the driveway of his home and part of the bungalow sustained scorch damage, including a kitchen door and guttering.
Officers also alerted his neighbours and drove a neighbour's van away to ensure it did not catch alight. The officers also alerted his neighbours and moved a neighbour's van to ensure it did not catch alight.
The PSNI patrol called the fire service and then used hand held extinguishers and a garden hose to dampen the blaze and prevent it from spreading.The PSNI patrol called the fire service and then used hand held extinguishers and a garden hose to dampen the blaze and prevent it from spreading.
The car was completely destroyed in the fire but no-one was hurt.The car was completely destroyed in the fire but no-one was hurt.
Sergeant Gwyn, of Armagh PSNI, said: "This was a very dangerous fire and due to the quick thinking actions of officers out on patrol no one was hurt.Sergeant Gwyn, of Armagh PSNI, said: "This was a very dangerous fire and due to the quick thinking actions of officers out on patrol no one was hurt.
"The consequences if we had not caught this fire in time, do not bear thinking about.""The consequences if we had not caught this fire in time, do not bear thinking about."
'Very sinister''Very sinister'
Police have launched an investigation and conducted house-to-house enquiries.Police have launched an investigation and conducted house-to-house enquiries.
Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry & Armagh, Danny Kennedy, described it as a "very sinister development".Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry & Armagh, Danny Kennedy, described it as a "very sinister development".
"Everyone has the right to express their views in a democratic society and this attack appears to be an attempt to interfere with that democratic right."Everyone has the right to express their views in a democratic society and this attack appears to be an attempt to interfere with that democratic right.
"I am very relieved that William and his family have escaped injury and acknowledge the vigilant work and quick thinking of local PSNI officers in spotting the fire and getting everyone to safety," Mr Kennedy said."I am very relieved that William and his family have escaped injury and acknowledge the vigilant work and quick thinking of local PSNI officers in spotting the fire and getting everyone to safety," Mr Kennedy said.
'No justification''No justification'
Sinn Fein MP for Newry & Armagh, Conor Murphy, also condemned the attack.Sinn Fein MP for Newry & Armagh, Conor Murphy, also condemned the attack.
"Whoever was responsible for the arson attack outside Willie Frazer's home last night was not representative of the vast majority of people in this constituency," Mr Murphy said."Whoever was responsible for the arson attack outside Willie Frazer's home last night was not representative of the vast majority of people in this constituency," Mr Murphy said.
"Whatever people's views are of Mr Frazer's public statements or actions, there can be no justification for an attack like this on a family home.""Whatever people's views are of Mr Frazer's public statements or actions, there can be no justification for an attack like this on a family home."
Mr Frazer is a former director of the victims' group, Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (Fair).Mr Frazer is a former director of the victims' group, Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (Fair).
He founded the south Armagh-based organisation more than 13 years ago, to support victims of republican violence.He founded the south Armagh-based organisation more than 13 years ago, to support victims of republican violence.
However, he stepped down from his role last November.However, he stepped down from his role last November.