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| DIY store damaged in arson attack | DIY store damaged in arson attack |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Police have warned traders in Newtownabbey to be extra vigilant after a fire bomb attack on a B&Q store in the area. | Police have warned traders in Newtownabbey to be extra vigilant after a fire bomb attack on a B&Q store in the area. |
| The store on Mill Road sustained smoke and water damage after a fire broke out near wood in the DIY section. | The store on Mill Road sustained smoke and water damage after a fire broke out near wood in the DIY section. |
| The sprinkler system kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived at about 2340 BST on Saturday. | The sprinkler system kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived at about 2340 BST on Saturday. |
| B&Q said it was fortunate no-one was injured. A number of staff were working in the store when the device exploded. | B&Q said it was fortunate no-one was injured. A number of staff were working in the store when the device exploded. |
| Assistant Divisional Commander Gary Allen of the Fire and Rescue Service said the sprinkler system prevented major damage. | |
| "We went in and found the fire and put it out. When we were looking through the material that had been burning we found one of the devices placed within a quantity of wood," he said. | "We went in and found the fire and put it out. When we were looking through the material that had been burning we found one of the devices placed within a quantity of wood," he said. |
| "Because of the sprinklers in the B&Q premises, the fire was very, very small and we were able to deal with it quickly and stop it spreading." | "Because of the sprinklers in the B&Q premises, the fire was very, very small and we were able to deal with it quickly and stop it spreading." |
| Inspector John Stewart said police were treating the attack very seriously. | |
| He said: "I have been inside and seen the damage. One whole section did go up and was doused by the sprinkler system. | |
| "It did put life at risk and also property. The clear-up operation from this fire could take weeks." | |
| Police said retailers should check their premises throughout the trading day. | Police said retailers should check their premises throughout the trading day. |
| Last week, a B&Q outlet in Coleraine was also damaged in an arson attack. | Last week, a B&Q outlet in Coleraine was also damaged in an arson attack. |
| The fire at the store in Riverside Retail Park was also suspected to have been started by an incendiary device. | The fire at the store in Riverside Retail Park was also suspected to have been started by an incendiary device. |
| In August, the Real IRA was blamed for a series of incendiary attacks on commercial premises in Newry. | In August, the Real IRA was blamed for a series of incendiary attacks on commercial premises in Newry. |