A west Belfast businesswoman has told of her devastation after her salon was rammed by a van and set on fire.
Substantial damage was caused to Pretty in Pink in Belfast city centre during an arson attack on Saturday night.
Owner Deborah Kane (41) told The Irish News that she has “no idea” why her business on North Street was targeted.
“I’m a bit numb, I can’t take in what has happened,” she said.
Police said a white Peugeot Partner van was driven into the premises at around 9.10pm and a man “got out of the van and set the vehicle on fire”.
Photographs shared online show the partially burnt van rammed into the shutter of the premises.
Police and fire crews attended the scene.
Ms Kane said she “thought it was a joke” when she received a call to tell her about the attack.
“I went down and just stood there,” she said.
“I don’t know why this has happened to me, I have no idea. I haven’t had any arguments with anybody.
“I’m a bit numb, I can’t take in what has happened.”
Ms Kane, who is originally from Poleglass, said she had only opened the beauty and tanning salon in September as she “wanted a new, better life” for herself.
“I got support through Belfast council’s ‘Vibrant and Go Succeed ‘scheme, it took me 17 months and I was so delighted to get it all up and running,” she said.
“I just wanted a new life, I’m 41 nearly 42 and just wanted a new, better life.
“It hasn’t been a bed of roses, it took 17 months to get it all going and now this.
“There’s lots of damage, the door has been pushed in and the windows are out. I’m going to have to get it all brushed up and boarded up and then see what I can do.
“But I’m not sure when I’ll be able to open again. I don’t have any insurance.
“I’ve worked for 17 months to get the place open, it has taken a lot of time and effort. I will do what I can.”
A PSNI spokesman said officers are treating the incident as arson.
“Shortly before 9:10pm, it was reported that a white Peugeot Partner van had driven at a commercial premises in the area,” he said.
“It was reported that a male got out of the van and set the vehicle on fire.
“The male made off from the scene running down Unity Walk following the incident.
“Smoke damage was caused to the premises, as colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the fire.
“Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident or may have dashcam footage from the area, is asked to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 1331 04/01/25.”
