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Man injured after being struck by lit petrol bomb | Man injured after being struck by lit petrol bomb |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man has been seriously injured after being struck by a lit petrol bomb in Londonderry. | A man has been seriously injured after being struck by a lit petrol bomb in Londonderry. |
Two youths smashed a window of a house at Ben Varden Avenue, in the Waterside, at about 23:10 BST on Friday and threw the bomb inside. | Two youths smashed a window of a house at Ben Varden Avenue, in the Waterside, at about 23:10 BST on Friday and threw the bomb inside. |
It struck the 45-year-old man, who was rescued from the house by two neighbours. | It struck the 45-year-old man, who was rescued from the house by two neighbours. |
It is understood he has suffered burns to 35% of his body. | It is understood he has suffered burns to 35% of his body. |
The man's injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening, but he is now described as seriously ill but stable. | The man's injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening, but he is now described as seriously ill but stable. |
He has undergone at least two operations. | He has undergone at least two operations. |
Inspector John Burrows praised the rescuers. | Inspector John Burrows praised the rescuers. |
'Nearly killed' | |
He said: "Two members of the public, good neighbours, risked their lives to go into a house that was on fire. | He said: "Two members of the public, good neighbours, risked their lives to go into a house that was on fire. |
"There's no doubt their actions saved his life and what a contrast between those two individuals and the two criminals who tried to kill this man." | "There's no doubt their actions saved his life and what a contrast between those two individuals and the two criminals who tried to kill this man." |
Inspector Burrows urged anyone with information about the attackers, or who knew of a motive for it, to contact police. | Inspector Burrows urged anyone with information about the attackers, or who knew of a motive for it, to contact police. |
"We need the names of these people because they very nearly killed a citizen in the community," he said. | "We need the names of these people because they very nearly killed a citizen in the community," he said. |
"It is extremely fortunate this morning that we are not looking at a fatality. But this man will live with serious injuries for the rest of this life. | "It is extremely fortunate this morning that we are not looking at a fatality. But this man will live with serious injuries for the rest of this life. |
"Please help us solve this crime," the officer added. | |
'Lethal weapons' | |
SDLP Councillor Gerry Diver went to the scene shortly after the attack. | |
"Ben Varden Avenue is a row of terrace houses, this incident could have been much more serious as a fire in one property could have easily spread to the adjacent properties on the street," he said. | |
"Petrol bombs are lethal weapons. If it hadn't been for the swift actions of this gentleman's neighbours, we could have been dealing with a tragedy," Mr Diver added. | |
Police said the two attackers, who were male, wore grey hooded tops and had scarves over their faces. | Police said the two attackers, who were male, wore grey hooded tops and had scarves over their faces. |
It is believed that they made off in the direction of Dervock Place. | It is believed that they made off in the direction of Dervock Place. |
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police at Strand Road on 0845 600 8000 or use the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. | Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police at Strand Road on 0845 600 8000 or use the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. |