Mother and baby trapped in flat by arsonist gang

Bronagh Rogan and her four-month-old baby son had no means of escaping the blaze outside their flat in Galliagh Park until fire crews came to their rescue.

The horrific incident on Friday night was just the latest in a catalogue of intimidation the young woman has suffered since moving into the flat six years ago.

Bronagh said her five-year-old son was already too afraid to stay there at weekends, and following this incident he didn’t want to return at all.

Gangs of youths have been involved in serious anti-social behaviour at the flats in Galliagh Park for some time. In November 2018, the occupant in the ground floor flat below Bronagh was also targeted. On that occasion a sofa was pushed up against the front door and set alight.

Speaking about what happened on Friday night, Bronagh said: “I was in the flat with my baby, and I was just walking around, I had been doing the washing and I just seen this flash through the glass at the front door. I opened the door and got a big whoosh of smoke.

“I ran into the living room, phoned 999 and grabbed the baby. We had no way out. The bin was against the door, it wasn’t even a footprint away from the door. I had to wait until the fire brigade came and put it out.”

Fire & Rescue officers told Bronagh that if the wind had been blowing in the other direction the situation might have been even worse.

“I was in a state of shock. The ambulance crew had to come in and give me oxygen. I was in that much shock I didn’t even see the damage until the next day,” she said.

Bronagh said that she only kept her blue bin at the top of the outer staircase because her bins have been stolen on four separate occasions recently, and although the black bin was too heavy to manoeuvre up and down, she could at least try to keep her blue bin out of their way.

She said no-one should have to live in fear like this. “I am here nearly six years and this is ongoing ever since I moved in. We can’t live like this but realistically what am I meant to do? Lift the two children and go sofa surfing? It is a shame it has come to this.

“My daddy has to stay with us at times so I can sleep. It’s not fair on my children, it’s not fair on my family either. They are phoning every night and texting every morning to see if anything happened and if we are OK.

“I had been talking to the housing before this and they said the best they could do was to put a lock on the fence, but they climb over the walls and the fence and get in regardless. They are smoking and drinking. My five year old has to witness that even coming back from school.”

Bronagh was yesterday meeting with housing authorities again and is seeking alternative accommodation in light of what has been happening.

Sinn Féin Councillor Aileen Mellon said Bronagh and other Galliagh Park residents are “living in fear”.

She said: “I appeal to all parents who have teenagers to check if they are hanging around this area and impress on them the damaging effect this behaviour has on residents, in particular the elderly and those with young children.”

Police meanwhile said they are investigating after a bin was set on fire in a communal landing area of flats in Galliagh Park at around 10.30pm on Friday night.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “A woman in her 20s who had been trapped, along with her baby, inside a flat by the burning bin was treated for shock.

“Officers are appealing for witnesses and can be contacted on 101, quoting reference 1990 21/02/20.”