A business owner has said she is heartbroken after her premises was destroyed in an arson attack just a few months after it opened its doors.
Deborah Kane opened Pretty in Pink on North Street a few months ago after working tirelessly with Belfast City Council and its Vacant to Vibrant to make her dream of owning her own business a reality.
Sadly, this dream has now gone up in flames after someone drove a van into the front of the property before setting it on fire at around 9.10pm on Saturday, January 4.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Deborah said: “When I got a call from police last night saying that my business had been destroyed in an arson attack I thought it was a joke, but when I arrived at the scene I just stood there in shock for half an hour.
“I can’t think who would do something like this to me.
“I only opened Pretty in Pink a few months ago after working with the council and its Vacant to Vibrant and Go Succeed schemes for 17 months to get everything up and running. I was so thankful for all of the help that I received from the council and now all of the financial support I have received has gone up in smoke.
“The entire front of the premises has been completely destroyed and I have no idea when I will be able to open up again because I had invested so much into it.
“I am completely heartbroken that this happened and don’t know what I am going to do moving forward.”
Police have launched an investigation into the arson attack with it being reported that a white Peugeot Partner van was driven into a business premises with it being reported that a male got out of the vehicle and set it on fire before fleeing in the direction of Unity Walk.
The business premises suffered smoke damage as a result of the arson attack.
Police are asking anyone with any information following the incident to contact them as soon as possible.
Inspector Murphy said: “Shortly before 9:10pm, it was reported that a white Peugeot Partner van had driven at a commercial premises in the area. It was reported that a male got out of the van and set the vehicle on fire. The male made off from the scene running down Unity Walk following the incident. Smoke damage was caused to the premises, as colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the fire.
“Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident or may have dashcam footage from the area, is asked to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 1331 04/01/25. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
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