Adelaide business owner hit by second arson attack in a year
An Adelaide business owner is baffled as to why two of his restaurants have been hit by arsonists in the space of a year.
The latest occurred last night in Grange, with police now investigating if it has links to illegal tobacco.
The incident, which occurred at the Lezzete Restaurant and Cafe on Jetty Street, marks the second time in the last 12 months that a business owned by Daniel Ali has been targeted by arson.
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An Adelaide business owner is baffled as to why two of his restaurants have been hit by arsonists in the space of a year. Nine
"I don't know what's going on, what's happening," he said.
"I don't have any enemies... I don't have any problems with anyone."
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at midnight, with residents reporting the sound of shattering glass and a motorcycle speeding away from the scene.
The fire resulted in a power outage, forcing neighbouring businesses, including the Bora Cafe, to close for the day.
Carla Giordano, a local business owner, said the incident was "terrible, especially the other businesses that are going to lose their trade today, just shocking for the community".
The interior of Lezzete Restaurant and Cafe, owned by Ali, sustained significant damage, with images revealing extensive ash and scorch marks.
The business was significantly damaged in the fire. Nine
"Very sad," Ali said.
"I just heard police come to me and they said 'oh your shop, it got burnt inside, it's all damaged'."
Police can't confirm whether tobacco has been found at the restaurant in the past, but are investigating if this suspicious fire is linked to Operation Eclipse - a taskforce cracking down on illicit tobacco.
Ali has denied any involvement with tobacco.
"No, not tobacco, I don't have anything with the tobacco," he said
"Yeah, it's been raided before and there was nothing."
The incident follows a similar arson attack on another of Ali's restaurants, Al Sultan, a year earlier.
CCTV footage from that incident showed two hooded figures dousing the restaurant in accelerant.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
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