'Significant damage' caused to assisted living property after car crash

People being housed in an assisted living property are being moved to temporary accommodation after a car crashed into the building in south Belfast.

Police received a report at 03:45 BST that a blue Volkswagen Golf was driven into a wall, and then a conservatory, in Dorchester Park.

Residents who were in the residential property, run by disability charity Sense, at the time had to be evacuated in the middle of the night.

A 21-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving while unfit and a number of additional driving-related offences. They have since been released on bail to allow for further enquiries.

"Extensive damage was caused to the vehicle involved, the property and three other vehicles in the area," Insp Colhoun said.

"This is a shocking incident, and it's only by sheer luck that we aren't dealing with much more serious consequences this morning," Colhoun said.

"The residents of the property had to be moved in the middle of the night, which was an extremely distressing experience for them."

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

The property is operated by Sense, a disability charity, and houses six people.

However, only five of those were staying in the property overnight, along with one member of night staff.

In a statement, Sense said: "Thankfully, all the people we support at the service, along with staff on duty, are safe and receiving appropriate support.

"We are working closely with families, local partners and emergency services to ensure everyone affected has suitable temporary accommodation and ongoing care."

Sense said the property has sustained "significant damage and remains under assessment".

Kevin Fennell, who lives beside the house, said he heard a lot of commotion during the night.

It is "traumatic for the people in the house," he said.

He described the house as "almost demolished" and said he hoped the people inside are okay.