An arson attack in Co Down early today may have been racially motivated, according to the PSNI.
Several families had to be rescued from the blaze in the Cornmarket area of Newry by the emergency services.
The fire, which police suspect was started deliberately, broke out at 3am in a bookmakers shop.
Ten people, including two children, who were sleeping in flats above the bookies were rescued by firefighters who arrived to tackle the blaze.
Six other residents had managed to escape the flames by themselves.
Five people had to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
The PSNI says the residents of the flats were foreign nationals and one line of inquiry being followed by detectives is that this was a racially motivated hate crime.
