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House set on fire with pensioner inside

NIFRS Burnt debris leading into a house. A house fire that's been put out. NIFRS
The PSNI say "the incident is being treated as arson with intent"

An elderly woman has been taken to hospital after a house was set on fire in Antrim on Tuesday morning.

Police received a report that a property in Rathglynn was set alight at about 03:20 GMT.

The woman, who is in her 70s, was inside the property at the time of the incident. She was taken to hospital for treatment to burns to her hands and smoke inhalation.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "The property was significantly damaged and at this stage, the incident is being treated as arson with intent."

Pacemaker The house is cordoned off with blue police tape and orange safety fences. There are two people in white and blue crime suits lifting rubble. The front of a house with black smoke marks on the doorway and the windows - all windows are open, with one smashed window. There is debris on the floor outside the front of the house and an orange bollard with a forklift. Pacemaker
The PSNI said the property was "significantly damaged"

Neighbours told BBC News NI that the daughter and son-in-law of the woman in her 70s tried to rescue her from the fire.

The woman, aged in her 40s, was treated for both smoke inhalation and injuries to her hands.

The man, aged in his 40s, was also treated for smoke inhalation.

Four fire appliances went to the scene. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said one person was rescued from the property and transferred to an ambulance.

'Absolutely terrifying'

Lucille O'Hagan, Sinn Féin councillor for Antrim Town, said the arson victim was "fortunate to escape with her life".

"This attack was carried out in the dead of night in the full knowledge that this resident would be asleep and at her most vulnerable," she said.

"I can't imagine how terrified this lady must have felt to awaken to the front of her home engulfed in flames."

NIFRS Fire engines, red and yellow in colour with flashing blue lights parked up on a street with parked cars around them. It's nighttime so the street lights are on and there are people standing on the sidewalk as firefighters in yellow uniforms and hard hats are moving equipment across the road. NIFRS
Police received a report that a property in Rathglynn was set alight at about 03:20 on Tuesday

SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch condemned the incident, describing it as "terrifying" for the woman involved.

"I can't begin to imagine why anyone would target the home of an older person in this way," Lynch said.

"People in this area are shocked that this has happened on their doorsteps and that a member of their community was placed in harm's way," she added.

DUP councillor Paul Dunlop said actions of those involved in the arson "must be condemned" and added that he hoped the woman who was in the property makes a full recovery.

Alliance councillor Neil Kelly is wearing a black shirt with a grey suit jacket. He is bald, with metal glasses. He has a neutral expression
Alliance councillor Neil Kelly says anyone with information should get in touch with police

Alliance councillor Neil Kelly said he was "angered and shocked" by the news.

"It's horrific to think that a lady on her own in her house is attacked in this manner," he added.

Meanwhile, two people have escaped injury after a petrol bomb was thrown at a property in Ballymena on Monday night.

Police do not believe the two incidents are related.