Story Created:
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:50 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Oct 1, 2012 at 11:11 PM ECT
POLICE are searching for three men who set fire to a popular recreation club in San Fernando yesterday morning, causing damage estimated in millions of dollars.
Reports are that the men doused gas on the premises of King's Recreation Club at Coffee Street before throwing a Molotov cocktail into the business place.
Barman, Anthony Ramirez, of Ste Madeleine, told police that around 3 a.m., he was at work when the three male suspects entered, carrying buckets filled with liquid.
Ramirez said: "They dashed one bucket across the bar and I got soaked. They dashed the other buckets in the other rooms and tell me 'get out if I want to live'."
Ramirez said he and three bar patrons ran out in to the street. He said he saw one of the three suspects light a bottle and throw it into the club.
"I looked back and all I saw was black smoke," said the barman.
The recreation club became engulfed in flames.
Two other businesses also housed in the three-storey building—a clothing boutique and a DVD store—were also destroyed.
The clothing store, which sold brand-name clothing, was opened only Friday, the Express was told.
Firemen took more than three hours to extinguish the fire.
The Express was told the owners of a rival business in the area were being investigated by police in connection with the attack.
The building, which is owned by Carl King, of Princes Town, was more than 50 years old.
A final estimate was yet to be ascertained yesterday.
PC Ogunsheye of San Fernando Police Station is investigating.
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