Islington Tribune - News: SHOP BOSS: ‘ARSONISTS WON’T WIN’

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER and MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 24 August 2007

The gutted remains of Costcutter mini-supermarket on Junction Road

SHOP BOSS: ‘ARSONISTS WON’T WIN’

Anger as store is targeted for second time in six months

DETECTIVES are investigating a mystery blaze at a mini-supermarket in Archway after it was set on fire for the second time in six months.
Costcutter, on the corner of Junction Road and Hargrave Road, was set ablaze in the early hours of Monday – just two days before it was due to re-open.
Owned by Shafiq and Sadia Subhabi, the shop had just been refurbished after being set alight in a similar incident in March.
Two men are believed to have climbed into a flat above the shop and set light to it The fire then spread to the shop.
Mrs Subhabi said: “We have spent so much time and money doing up the shop.
“Someone obviously doesn’t want us to open up but we won’t be defeated. We’ll just have to start again.”
The attack happened at about 4am on Monday, just as rough sleeper Mark Lukysy, 28, was trying to grab a few hours sleep outside the Abbey National, opposite Costcutter.
He said: “I clearly saw two men pull up in a red car and get out carrying something. They parked up by the bus stop and went round to the back of the shop.
“I heard a crash of glass and a few minutes later there were flames. The men got back into the car and drove off.”
It is believed the fire was fed by a gas main, which exploded and blew out all of the windows in the flat above Costcutter.
Residents in Hargrave Road were woken up by the blast.
One said: “There was a huge blast. I saw flames and smoke billowing out.”
A police spokesman said officers were called at 4.30am after reports of a fire in a flat above the shop in Junction Road.
He said: “The venue was an empty flat and the fire was contained by London fire brigade. No one was injured at the scene. At this early stage it is believed that two males gained entry to the flat and set light to it. The males have left the scene in a small white van.
“Both suspects are described as white. Islington CID are investigating the incident. An open mind is being kept as to motive.”
Police sources dismissed reports that petrol bombs had been thrown or that masked men had been spotted, but confirmed that the blaze was being investigated as arson.
It is the latest in a line of attacks around Archway. Pound shop owner Khalid Javed, whose business is opposite Costcutter, suffered an arson attack in March last year.
His wife narrowly escaped serious injury after she was trapped in the flat upstairs. The shop was attacked on a Wednesday afternoon when it was full of customers and staff.
He said: “I’ve managed to build back my business from nothing, it was a very bad experience. Business is tough around here but all the traders get on.”
Local resident Jan Tucker, chairwoman of the Islington Community Safety Board, urged anyone with information to help the police.
She said: “It’s a very worrying situation for all the traders. This shop was about to open when it was attacked. It is obviously someone trying to stop them.”
Hillrise Lib Dem Cllr Greg Fox Smith said the incident had come at a time when crime in Archway was improving.
“We have a good six man Police Neighbourhoods team and street crime has reduced in the area.
“This sort of attack makes businesses very nervous.”
On Monday four fire crews and a specialist fire brigade command unit battled with flames on the first and second floors as police closed all roads around the building.
A fire brigade spokesman said said: “The premises were severely damaged.
“We had to take the roof off to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings.”
Police asked witnesses to call 020 7421 0350 with information.

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