The Five Demands

Police probe dissident link to shop fire (UTV)

Police are investigating a possible dissident republican link to a fire which gutted a Belfast city centre shop.

B&M Bargains on Rosemary Street was left devastated following the arson on Friday.

Around 40 firefighters and 10 fire engines were involved in tackling the blaze at the three-storey premises.

Fire service crews remained at the scene over the weekend and police forensic experts carried out detailed investigations of the scene.

It is thought the fire was one of the biggest ever seen in the city.

On Tuesday, The Irish News reported that dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for planting a fire bomb.

The group told the paper it disagreed with the shop employing staff through the government’s back to work programme.

Over 20 people were employed at the Belfast base and they have been redeployed to other stores across Northern Ireland.

A PSNI spokeswoman told UTV: “Police are aware that a claim of responsibility has been submitted through a third party and this is one line of investigation.”

It comes as Justice Minister David Ford told MLAs that “the threat level in Northern Ireland remains at severe, which means that an attack is highly likely”.

Mr Ford revealed there have been 14 terrorist attacks up to 14 October this year.

“Police officers, soldiers and prison officers remain the primary targets,” he said.

“It is clear, however, that the terrorists are not concerned about the safety of anyone.”