A fire at a multi-cultural centre in Belfast overnight is being treated as arson and a hate crime by police.
It is the second time in 15 months that the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association building on Donegall Pass in south Belfast has been targeted.
In January 2021 the roof was destroyed in an arson attack and repair work had just been completed.
This time the area around the entrance was damaged.
Police said they were alerted to the fire around 1.20am. Crews from Northern IReland Fire Service attended the scene and the fire was brought under control.
In a social media post the organisation said it had been worried about the re-opening.
"Whilst we still had a lot of concerns about going back to building we were hopeful. Unfortunately, those hopes were squashed again last night after a second attack on the building.
"We await the authorities for clarity as to what happened.
But once again, our hopes and dreams of justice went in flames."
After the last arson attack almost £72,000 was raised to help the association rebuild and continue its work.
The PSNI said it had begun a major investigation.
Muhammad Atif of the Multi-Cultural Association said the charity had run a food bank and other services for the vulnerable from the centre - many of which were used by the local community
He said he was angry that the building had been burned again.
"Anything which wasn't destroyed in the last arson has been damaged now.
"It seems like somebody came back to finish the job"
Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl visited the scene to show her support and express her outrage.
"I feel very angry on their behalf. This is not representative of south Belfast or of the majority of the community who recognise the good they do.
"They are such a peaceful, welcoming open community and that's what represents us, not the people who did this.
"But that doesn't change how devastating it is for them and how personal it is to have this happen again within a year. It's awful."
