A drunk hotel guest who set fire to a part of the facility and filmed the act has been jailed for seven years.
He aroused suspicion after he insisted on filming officers at the scene of the blaze.
The 37-year-old Bahraini was questioned after being asked to stop filming the action on his smartphone. When the device was checked it showed him setting alight a two-seater sofa in the corridor of the building.
The High Criminal Court heard that the defendant boasted to prosecutors about attempting to burn down the Gulf Pearl Hotel in Hoora allegedly ‘just for fun’; however, in court he denied any role in the fire.
He was found guilty of arson and being drunk and disorderly. He was also fined BD5,530, being the cost of damages caused to the hotel.
The defendant previously described how he started the blaze.
“I was drinking a lot of alcohol at a hotel in Manama,” he told prosecutors in a statement.
“I then decided to go to another hotel and continue drinking.
“As I was walking along a corridor I spotted a two-seater sofa and thought of burning it and the hotel just for fun. I used my lighter and set it ablaze.”
He described how he was arrested as he continued to film firemen putting out the blaze, and police checking out the scene of the incident.
“I filmed them with my mobile phone,” he added. “I was not thinking at all and I blame my actions on the alcohol.”
The GDN earlier reported that 10 fire engines were deployed to the scene .
All 140 guests staying in the hotel had to be evacuated; 10 Saudi tourists were treated for minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
A hotel official said that the damage was limited to the piece of furniture, carpeting and fire doors.
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