Lawyer’s office firebombed

A Port-of-Spain lawyer’s office was firebombed early yesterday morning.

At around 3.30 am, residents at Queen's Park West heard a loud explosion and looked out to see fire and smoke coming from the north-western apartment/office on the ground floor of attorney Drigard Singh. The Belmont Fire Station was contacted and Singh was also contacted at his Barataria home. No one was seen running away.

When Newsday visited the burnt out apartment, a traumatised Singh said, “I have no idea why someone would want to firebomb my office. “I do probates, estate matters and one or two small civil matters; things people will quarrel for, not firebomb an office. “While it is difficult to quantify my losses, they run over $100,000, some of which are irreplaceable like certain law books lent to me by journalist/attorney BC Pires. “Right now I am not sure what happens next. If my landlord allows me to break my lease, I will look for somewhere else. If not, then I will have to refurbish.”

Destroyed were three computers, several documents; some containing cash, law books, furniture and furnishings. The arsonist started the fire by removing the side glass window to Singh’s main office and throwing in a flammable chemical which was then lit. The fire quickly spread to other parts of the apartment before forcing glass in the front office to explode. A box of matches was also found at the scene. Visiting the scene were Cpl Mercer, WPC George and the police photographer who, at presstime, was awaiting the arrival of the fingerprint experts.