Ballymena: Pennybridge Industrial Estate fire was arson

Video caption, Several vehicles have been destroyed in a fire in Ballymena

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Nine vehicles have been destroyed in an arson attack at an industrial estate in Ballymena, County Antrim, police said.

Firefighters were sent to Autotune NI in the Pennybridge industrial estate in the town at 02:10 BST on Wednesday.

Image source, PAcemaker

Image caption, The remains of several of the destroyed vehicles in Ballymena on Wednesday morning

Two appliances from Ballymena fire station were involved in the operation at the car repair business.

Firefighters using breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze and prevented it spreading to nearby buildings.

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Police said its officers wanted to hear from witnesses or anyone with footage of the area at the time to contact them.

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Image source, NI Fire and Rescue Service

Image caption, Firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the blaze in County Antrim

Image source, NI Fire and Rescue Service

Image caption, The Ballymena fire was reported in the early hours of Wednesday

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also said the blaze appeared to have been started deliberately.

Image source, PAcemaker

Image caption, The scene in Ballymena on Wednesday morning

Meanwhile, police in Londonderry are appealing for information after three vehicles were damaged in a fire at business premises in the Prehen area of the city.

The incident happened just before 03:20 on Wednesday and is being treated as arson by police.

The PSNI said one of the vehicles had been destroyed while the roof of the building and fencing were also damaged by the fire.