Mountain fires 'may be deliberate'

Published on Monday 2 May 2011 16:57

A MAN was reportedly seen with a petrol can close to one of the worst gorse fires for years in the Mourne Mountains, police have said.

Another two youths were spotted lighting fires in south Armagh, according to witnesses who have contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Hundreds of acres of land are being destroyed, and homes and livestock threatened by fires which have burned for much of the bank holiday weekend in counties Down, Armagh and Tyrone.

The fire service said that yesterday was one of their busiest days ever.

PSNI assistant chief constable Gary White said: "The thought that individuals may be deliberately causing such destruction is very hard to comprehend.

"Not only are they putting livestock in danger, and destroying the habitat of wildlife, but as seen in the necessary evacuations in Annalong and the Lenamore Road in Omagh, homes and therefore the lives of residents are being threatened."

Police say they are pursuing a number of positive lines of inquiry, including the man seen with a petrol can and the two youths.