Two weeks to Christmas: Little Derry girl afraid to come home

A little Derry girl is afraid to stay in her home after an arson attack.

The six-year-old was being bathed by her mother at their Altcar Park home in Galliagh on Sunday evening last when neighbours banged their door to alert them the flat above was on fire.

Ciara McLaughin, pictured, (25), who is eight months pregnant, managed to escape along with her daughter.

The fire is being treated as an arson attack and is being investigated by police. However, Ms McLaughlin revealed her daughter was afraid to return to their home of three years and has been staying with her grandmother.

This week in school, the little girl drew a picture which showed a fire engine at the scene of a blaze.

“My daughter is now living with my mother because she won’t come back here – she’s so afraid of it happening again,” Ms McLaughlin said.

She added “It’s really playing on her mind and that’s not fair, especially so close to Christmas.”