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A police officer has suffered scald injuries to his chest and chin after liquid was thrown over him as he tried to arrest a man armed with a knife at the scene of a fire.<\/p>\n
Firefighters were also threatened with a knife and a second police officer needed treatment for smoke inhalation during the incident in east Belfast.<\/p>\n
It began when firefighters were called to an arson attack in Coates Row shortly after 02:15 BST on Sunday and told police there was a man armed with a knife in an apartment.<\/p>\n
Police officers, including members of the Armed Response Unit (ARU), arrested a 35-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The suspect has also been charged with arson to endanger life and other related offences.<\/p>\n
Both police officers required hospital treatment, according to Det Insp Harvey.<\/p>\n
“Our officers responded swiftly to this report to protect both the public and our emergency service partners,” he said. <\/p>\n
“Threatening and violent behaviour towards emergency workers is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n