The owner of a convenience store in Manchester, whose store was doused in petrol and deliberately set alight by three masked thugs this week, has pledged to continue serving community, saying he "will not be deterred" by the arson attack.
The incident happened at Zafs GoLocal store on Sunday (25). According to Manchester Evening News, three men, wearing hoodies and face coverings, ran up to the Zafs GoLocal store on Butler Street near Ancoats before one man poured petrol over the shop floor.
However, the men "put themselves on fire" in the attempt. Seconds later, as they flee the store, one of the offenders appears to be on fire in the store's CCTV footage while the other is seen holding the petrol can which was also ablaze.
The store is run by Zaf Iqbal whose family owns the shop for over 40 years. The fire, which Iqbal said "could've killed someone" was put out by his quick-thinking brother who picked up a mop bucket filled with water before emergency crews even arrived.
"My brother and a member of staff were here - and two minutes before I'd been in there," Iqbal said. "I was telling the lads to get ready for bank holiday because we are always busy. All of a sudden these three lads walked in, poured petrol down and it just went up in flames.
"My brother and other staff member ran into the stockroom to pick up the mop bucket and bottles of water and thank god, they managed to put the fire out and ran outside. It could've been so much worse, thank god nobody got hurt. Fixtures and fittings can be replaced; but a person can't.
Iqbal, who had a stroke earlier this year, said although he and the store staff are "worried" but they plan to continuing serving the community and "will not be deterred" by the arson attack.
"We are a local community shop. We have been in Ancoats for over 40 years and we've got no issues or problems with anyone, so don't know why they would do this," he added.
"It's a well known shop. We don't know what could've caused it. The main thing is nobody was hurt. You can't deter us. We are only a little family run business just trying to make a living for ourselves. Safety for my staff was the first thing that went through my mind; my little brother was there and he has asthma."
The incident, which lasted only 11 seconds, shows the moment the masked individuals burst through the doors before one man empties a can of petrol over the ground. As they flee the store, one of the group appears to be on fire, as the other is seen holding the petrol can which was also ablaze, with the pavement outside also set alight.
"The idiots put themselves on fire," Zaf said. "Britain's dumbest criminals... that's what I've named them.
"We are worried, and I've had to hire extra staff. The police were a big help, but aren't always a deterrent. Police still don't know who they are.
"We are looking after ourselves. Haters are going to hate; sometimes people don't like a successful business, but to go to this extent... someone could've died with how fast the flames went up. And the building and people upstairs."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed investigations into the arson attack are ongoing, with officers attempting to identify and track down the three suspects. The force said the fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported, with those in the shop safely evacuated.
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed the incident with local media and stated that detectives from North Manchester CID are investigating the incident and although no arrests have been made so far, enquiries are ongoing into locating the three men.
