A Syrian man says he's been left 'living in fear' after his business was targeted by three arson attacks in the space of a year.
In the latest incidents earlier this week, petrol was poured outside one of his Sham Supermarket premises before being set alight.
The business, which is based on both the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas of South Belfast, was targeted in the early hours of both Monday and Tuesday morning.
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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 alight and running away from the scene.
Sham Supermarket was first opened in December 2021 by Syrian nationals Abdelkader Al Alloush and Mohammed Khalid Al-Abied. It was first targeted in a suspected arson attack last August which cost the business £5,000.
Following the latest arson attacks this week, the business has been left a further £6,000 out of pocket.
Mohammed, 35, told Belfast Live: "I have to leave some stock outside my shop at night due to space and that has been set on fire, which has cost me £4,000. The shutters were also set on fire and the windows have been badly damaged too so they will need replaced and that's £4,000.
"That's a lot of money for us when we have four staff working in the shop to pay. When we first opened we had a really good business but after what's happened we are missing a lot of customers who are afraid.
"We open seven days a week and we are still open because we have to but the glass and tables are all black. I'm scared to come to work but I have four kids at home to support."
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the two arson incidents and are treating both as hate crimes.
PSNI Inspector Wilkinson said: “At around 4.20am on Monday 10th April, a report was received of a fire at commercial premises in the area. It’s believed that an accelerant had been poured over the front of the premises and set alight.
“A second report was received shortly before 3.20am on Tuesday 11th April of a fire at the same premises after accelerant was poured over items at the front of the premises.
"During both incidents, officers attended together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and extinguished the fire. Fortunately there were no reports of any injuries.
“Our enquiries to establish the circumstances of both incidents, which we are treating as hate crimes, are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who has any information which might assist us, to get in touch.
“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 331 of 11/04/23.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via 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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