Arsonists struck a San Fernando businessman and his family yesterday after three vehicles were firebombed outside their premises leaving over $650,000 in losses.
Visibly shaken, Dave Sookhoo, the owner of the popular Sookhoo’s Ltd supermarket and liquor store, described yesterday’s attack as senseless.
In his 30 years of business in Marabella, Sookhoo said he has never been robbed, attacked or threatened.
Around 1.30 am, Sookhoo, 58, was jolted by an explosion outside his Union Road home and business. On smelling smoke which rose from the front of the building, he looked out and saw his BMW X4 valued at $450,000, a nine-seater Hyundai H1 valued $100,000 and a Mazda 3 sedan also valued $100,000 on fire.
Marabella police, led by Cpl Harrygin, and fire-fighters from the Southern Division Headquarters were contacted and the blaze was extinguished before it spread to the house. The front wall and porch of the building were damaged.
A preliminary investigation suggested that the arsonists broke the windows of the vehicles and flammable devices were thrown into the vehicles.
Sookhoo operates a wholesale business on the adjacent street while he had leased out the supermarket to Chinese nationals.
However, he said the grocery was closed down and the area was empty. He said there were plans to open a new store.
He said he could not speculate as to why they were attacked, but has taken extra security measures.
With shoppers purchasing liquor by the cases yesterday, a police officer stood guard at the doorway.