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Man injured after being struck by lit petrol bomb Man seriously ill after being hit by lit petrol bomb
(about 3 hours later)
A man has been seriously injured after being struck by a lit petrol bomb in Londonderry. A man is seriously ill in hospital after being set on fire by a 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 Benvarden Avenue, in the Waterside, at about 23:10 BST on Friday and threw the lit 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 as he sat in the living room and he suffered burns to almost 40% of his body. He was rescued by two neighbours.
It is understood he has suffered burns to 35% of his body. The police are treating the attack as attempted murder.
The man's injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening, but he is now described as seriously ill but stable. The man is described as seriously ill but stable in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and he has undergone at least two operations.
He has undergone at least two operations. Inspector John Burrows praised the rescuers but described the attackers as "cowards".
Inspector John Burrows praised the rescuers. "This was a very sinister, deliberate attack," he said. "This was an attempt to cause serious injury or death.
'Nearly killed' "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. He said the victim was a "gentle individual" who had done "nothing to deserve this".
"We need the names of these people because they very nearly killed a citizen in the community," he said. Inspector Burrows urged anyone with information about the attackers, or who knew of a motive for the attack, to contact police.
"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. "We need the names of these people," he said.
"Please help us solve this crime," the officer added. "It is extremely fortunate that we are not looking at a fatality. But this man will live with serious injuries for the rest of this life."
'Lethal weapons''Lethal weapons'
SDLP Councillor Gerry Diver went to the scene shortly after the attack. 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. "Benvarden 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."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.