MANAMA: A suspect has been arrested for allegedly setting three cars on fire in Riffa.
The cars were gutted and two homes in a two-storey property near the parked cars in the Hajiyat area, suffered substantial damage early Monday morning, as reported by the GDN.
The man has been referred to the Public Prosecution, the Interior Ministry said yesterday.
Authorities had earlier in the day said they suspected foul play in the incident but denied claims on social media that the vehicles belonged to any Interior Ministry employee.
“About what is being circulated about incorrect information on some social media, investigations confirm the existence of criminal suspicion in the incident where three vehicles were set on fire in Riffa, at dawn on June 20, and the information confirms that the damaged vehicles do not belong to any of the Interior Ministry’s employees,” said a tweet.
The GDN had reported that the area remained cordoned off for several hours after the major blaze as police and forensic teams collected evidence.
Clean-up operations and the removal of debris continued throughout the day and the cars were removed by municipal tow trucks.
Residents were evacuated from their homes with at least one requiring medical treatment for injuries sustained in the fire.
Part of the property suffered superficial damage and some members of a family were able to return to the building after safety checks were carried out.
Four fire engines and 16 Civil Defence personnel were deployed to douse the flames.
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