For the second time this week, arsonists have fire-bombed a San Fernando business, leaving behind hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.
Police believe the arsonists wanted to loot Stackhouse Company Ltd, along Pointe-a-Pierre Road, which sells liquor, meats and other items wholesale and retail.
Investigators said it was the fifth business in the country to be fire-bombed in recent weeks. A report stated that the owner, Truman Lochan Dass, 52, secured the business around 11 pm Thursday, leaving behind a security officer. The officer reported that around 2 am, he heard a noise at the front of the building and on checking, saw that the showroom was on fire and two masked men in dark clothing running away.
San Fernando police and fire fighters from the Southern Division Headquarters responded and the blaze was extinguished before it spread to other parts of the building. However, the entire showroom, which had various kinds of alcoholic beverages, was destroyed.
Although T&TEC cut power to the building, shoppers were yesterday purchasing their liquor and meats for the holidays. Lochan Dass said he was not deterred by the attack and will continue to carry on his business. He said police already have the video footage of the attack. He does not believe it was a robbery attempt, instead it was “one man’s envy.” Cpl Moses of the San Fernando CID is continuing investigations.