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Families flee burning cars terror Families flee burning cars terror
(19 minutes later)
Vandals who set fire to cars forced families out of their homes overnight in south Belfast.Vandals who set fire to cars forced families out of their homes overnight in south Belfast.
The Fire and Rescue Service was called to Jerusalem Street at about 0330 BST where four cars were burning.The Fire and Rescue Service was called to Jerusalem Street at about 0330 BST where four cars were burning.
Householders were in great distress due to the heat and smoke in close proximity to their homes, according to Assistant Group Commander David Patton.Householders were in great distress due to the heat and smoke in close proximity to their homes, according to Assistant Group Commander David Patton.
Police said a man in his mid-30s has been arrested and is being questioned about the incident.Police said a man in his mid-30s has been arrested and is being questioned about the incident.
Mr Patton said it was fortunate that gas cylinders in the back of a nearby vehicle did not explode.Mr Patton said it was fortunate that gas cylinders in the back of a nearby vehicle did not explode.
He said those responsible for the fires had smashed windows and later returned to set the cars on fire.He said those responsible for the fires had smashed windows and later returned to set the cars on fire.
A number of families and students were led to safety.A number of families and students were led to safety.
Jerusalem Street is the focus of a police investigation Stephen Henry's car was one of those destroyed
"This particular street is a lovely street," said Mr Patton."This particular street is a lovely street," said Mr Patton.
"There's a good mixture of young families and young students living together side by side. This was a ridiculous act by some people in our society."There's a good mixture of young families and young students living together side by side. This was a ridiculous act by some people in our society.
"They actually caused a lot of distress for all the young families as well as the students.""They actually caused a lot of distress for all the young families as well as the students."
A woman whose daughter's vehicle was damaged told the BBC that her daughter rang her screaming in the middle of the night.A woman whose daughter's vehicle was damaged told the BBC that her daughter rang her screaming in the middle of the night.
She said a total of 11 vehicles had been damaged.She said a total of 11 vehicles had been damaged.
"The news could have been a lot worse. It's ridiculous, but it's only property it can be replaced," she said."The news could have been a lot worse. It's ridiculous, but it's only property it can be replaced," she said.
"We don't actually know how badly damaged the car is.""We don't actually know how badly damaged the car is."
Stephen Henry is one of the students who had his car destroyed.
"It was just a car that would get me from A to B but it's devastating to have it gone," he said.
"As far as I know, there are four cars that are completely undriveable, all burned out and then there are other cars around which have been just hit by the heat - melted wing mirrors and the sides of the cars.
"Even the houses as well have been hit a bit."