A Syrian man says he is ‘living in fear’ after his company was targeted by three arson attacks in a year.
In the latest incidents earlier this week, petrol was poured outside one of its Sham Supermarket premises before it was set on fire.
The business, which is based in both the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas of South Belfast, was attacked in the early hours of both Monday and Tuesday mornings.
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CCTV footage of both incidents earlier this week, seen by Belfast Live, shows a suspect pouring petrol outside the shop, before setting it on fire and running away from the crime scene.
Sham Supermarket was first opened in December 2021 by Syrian nationals Abdelkader Al Alloush and Mohammed Khalid Al-Abied. It was first the target of a suspected arson attack last August that cost the company £5,000.
Some of the damage done to the company earlier this week(Image: Submitted)
Following the latest arson attacks this week, the company has left a further £6,000 out of pocket.
Mohammed, 35, told Belfast Live: “I have to leave some supplies outside my shop overnight due to lack of space and it has been set on fire, costing me £4,000. The shutters have also been set on fire and the windows are also badly damaged so they need to be replaced which is £4,000.
“That’s a lot of money for us when we have four employees in the store to pay. When we first opened we had a really good business, but after what happened, we miss a lot of customers who are scared.
“We’re open seven days a week and we’re still open because we have to, but the glass and the tables are all black. I’m scared to come to work, but I have four kids at home to support.”
Firefighters at the scene of one of the incidents earlier this week(Image: Submitted)
Police have confirmed they are investigating the two arson attacks and are treating both as hate crimes.
PSNI Inspector Wilkinson said: “At about 4:20 am on Monday, April 10, a report was received of a fire at a commercial property in the area. It is believed that an accelerator was poured over the front of the property and set on fire.
“A second report came in shortly before 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, of a fire in the same building after accelerator was poured over objects at the front of the building.
“In both incidents, officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.
“Our investigation into the circumstances of both incidents, which we are treating as hate crimes, is ongoing and we are appealing to anyone with information that could assist us to get in touch.
“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 331 of 11/04/23.”
You can also make a report online using the non-emergency report form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
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