Locals say repeated warnings about anti-social behaviour at a Belfast property went ignored before it went up in flames tonight.

Fire and Emergency crews were called to the Third Street house at 7.30pm. Crews from Redwood and Christchurch City stations responded.

There were initial concerns that someone was inside, but firefighters later confirmed the property was empty. By the time the first crew arrived, the house was already well ablaze.

A fire investigator will return to the scene tomorrow morning, though the cause is not yet known.

A residents said their concerns about ongoing problems at the property had “fallen on deaf ears,” and described the aftermath as looking “more like a crime scene than a fire scene.”

Another neighbour said, “The house is a Kāinga Ora property and the occupant has been nothing but trouble. We’ve made numerous complaints to police about her behaviour, including threats that she would burn the house down.”

Police and Kāinga Ora have been approached for comment.