The full cab of a tractor was burnt out after it was set alight at a property on the Tullyneil Road in Co. Armagh at around midnight, in what police believe was the second of two linked arson attacks in the county this week.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed it is treating both incidents — the tractor fire and a separate deliberate fire at a house at School Terrace in Newtownhamilton — as potentially connected, and enquiries are ongoing.

Sergeant Wilson, speaking on behalf of the PSNI, said officers had "attended a report of a fire at a house at School Terrace in Newtownhamilton".

"A second report was also received at around midnight that a tractor had been set alight at another property in the Tullyneil Road area," Sergeant Wilson added.

What happened at each scene?

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service supported police at Newtownhamilton and "managed to extinguish the blaze" at the house.

"Smoke damage was caused to the entire property, however thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries," Sergeant Wilson said.

"At this stage, it is believed that the fire was started deliberately, and our enquiries are ongoing this morning to establish the circumstances of the incident," the sergeant added.

The tractor fire on Tullyneil Road played out differently. The occupants of the property dealt with the fire themselves, according to the PSNI.

Even so, the damage was severe. Police confirmed "the full cab of the vehicle was burnt out as a result of the incident".

What do police know about a suspect vehicle?

Witnesses reported a car leaving the area in the direction of Newtownhamilton around the time of the fires.

"A car was reported to have been seen leaving the area in the direction of Newtownhamilton," Sergeant Wilson said.

"As our enquiries continue into both reports this morning, which we believe at this stage may be linked, we are appealing to anyone with any information which may assist us to get in touch."

How does this fit the wider rural crime picture?

The PSNI has repeatedly advised that "good neighbours and vigilance are the most effective deterrent against crime", and its guidance to farmers goes well beyond reporting incidents after the fact.

"Remember that rural crime exists in many forms," the force has said.

Its practical checklist for farm businesses includes:

• Regularly check fields where stock are grazing;
• Keep hedges, fences and gates in good repair;
• Keep all sheds and stockyard gates closed and locked;
• Secure or immobilise vehicles, plant, trailers and equipment when not in use;
• Remove valuable machinery from fields overnight;
• Keep quads and cattle trailers in a securely locked shed, out of sight.

For a county where machinery fires routinely mean five-figure losses even before arson enters the equation, the PSNI's advice to remove valuable equipment from fields overnight carries particular weight this week.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Newtownhamilton or Tullyneil Road areas, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage of the car reported leaving the scene, can contact the PSNI as enquiries continue.