Belfast Multi-Cultural Association fire treated as hate crime

The entrance to the building was damaged by the fire

Police are treating an arson attack at a multi-cultural centre in Belfast as a hate crime.

The fire at the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (BMCA) building in Donegall Pass in the south of the city was reported at about 01:20 BST on Friday.

Police have launched a major investigation into the incident.

It is the second time a fire has broken out at the building, after a suspected arson attack caused significant damage in January 2021.

BMCA trustee Muhammad Atif described the latest incident as "devastating".

"There's no words to put your emotions to.

"There is anger - if I can put it into one word there is anger."

Muhammad Atif described the latest incident as "devastating"

Ch Supt Darrin Jones said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will be conducting a major investigation "with very experienced detectives".

"We refer to this as a hate crime, hate crimes target the most vulnerable in our society and it's a major investigation because it's a reflection of how seriously we're taking it.

"We're a diverse society, we need to welcome members of minority ethnic communities here and they need to feel safe and we need a full rigorous investigation to underline that reassurance."

He added: "Hate crime is a societal issue, it's not just a policing matter, we need the communities to come together to support those residents who are living in their communities to make them feel safe and to report crime to us."

Ch Supt Darrin Jones appealed for information

Ch Supt Jones said he was disappointed that no-one had been brought to justice for the previous attack, despite a file being brought forward to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

He appealed for anyone in the area between midnight and 01:20 BST on Friday and particularly anyone who may have dash-cam footage, to contact police.

"Repair work following the first fire at the building had only finished this week."

The full extent of the damage from Friday's fire is still being assessed.

Friday's fire was put out by the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) and specialist fire investigators were sent to the scene.

Damage to the building's roof following the fire

After the suspected arson attack last year, supporters of the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association raised more than £60,000 to repair the damage.

Mr Atif said they would need the support of the community again.

"Last time, when we asked for help, we got really great help from communities all over Northern Ireland," he said.

"We need all that support again."