Two Indian women living in south Belfast are considering leaving the city after their home was destroyed in arson during recent disorder. Tejal, a retail manager, and Nishath, a finance associate, resided in a flat above the Sham Supermarket on Donegall Road. On June 9, a masked group set fire to a bin outside the building while the women were inside.

The fire followed a knife attack that sparked rioting across Belfast. The supermarket was set alight, and the women were forced to flee their home. They described the experience as terrifying, saying they were in shock and could not process what was happening.

After evacuating, they took refuge at the home of SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole and later spent the night at Whiterock Leisure Centre. When they returned, they found their flat uninhabitable. All their belongings were damaged by smoke. Nishath stated that everything they owned had been affected, erasing years of memories.

O’Toole has provided them with ten days of accommodation in an AirBnB. The women said they are uncertain about their future housing. Nishath noted she had lived in Belfast for six years, arriving as a student and later securing a job. She said the city felt like home, but now she and Tejal are afraid to even visit a nearby shop.

Tejal said the disorder was one of the worst nights of her life, and she does not want to remain in Belfast. Despite the trauma, both women acknowledged that many people in the community have offered food and necessities. They said this outpouring represents the true character of Belfast, and that only a minority were responsible for the violence.

The women said they had been happy in Northern Ireland, but after the destruction of their home, they no longer feel safe and are contemplating a move away.