POLICE are investigating an arson attack on a large vacant house in Derry today following a fire overnight.
The house, situated at the top of Northland Avenue at its junction with Park Avenue, had been broken into by gangs of youths involved in anti-social behaviour over recent months.
This is despite the owner and relatives taking measures to secure the property to stop the youths getting access to the building.
The Fire and Rescue Service received a call around 9 pm alerting crews to the blaze.
The main road through the Rosemount area was closed off last night while fire crews extinguished the blaze.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Mickey Cooper said: “I and my party colleague Hayleigh Fleming have been working privately with the relatives of the owner for a number of months to try resolve the issue of small groups of young people entering and using the property to carry out anti-social behaviour.
“On each occasion the owner’s relatives got the property secured.
“During the Christmas period unfortunately saw an upsurge in the numbers of people using it as a gathering point which has culminated in the property now being gutted.
“I have spoken to the relatives who are on site with the Fire Service and they have told me the builders are coming today to ensure the property is structurally sound,” added Cllr Cooper.
