Call to save historic Herdman's Mill after fifth arson attack

There are calls to save a historic mill in Co Tyrone after arsonists have targeted it for the fifth time in four years.

Herdman’s Mill in Sion Mills is one of the most important buildings in Northern Ireland, a monument to the once booming textile industry.

A high metal fence surrounds the perimeter of the old mill but it hasn't kept arsonists out over the years and it was left smouldering after the latest attack on Wednesday night.

Cecilia Ferguson’s family help found the mill over 180 years ago and the village sprung up around it and wants to see the building preserved.

“I’m very emotionally exhausted, it really is so sad, and not just for me but the whole cillage because they remember it as a building they worked in and loved working in,” she said.

“We would love to help with the council to get hold of the building – it should be looked after and restored.”

The mill is now owned by Strabane's Euromillions winner Margaret Loughrey but the listed structure continues to fall into dereliction.

Five arson attacks in four years have gutted the interior.

The Sion Mills Preservation Trust want this historic building returned to the local community.

The landowner is now being called on to step up security before this building is damaged beyond repair and lost to this community.