Arsonists fail to burn bank

By ANDREW ALPHONSE
POLICE in Mendi are investigating an attempt to burn down the Bank South Pacific building in the town.
Arsonists started a fire at the eastern wall of the building last Thursday evening around 10:30.
Acting Southern Highlands provincial police commander Inspector Benson Osil said duty policemen at the nearby Mendi police station saw smoke coming from the building and moved quickly to douse the flames.
Insp Osil said in the process, the arsonists fled after being disturbed.
“Police are appealing to the public for information leading to the arrest of the culprits,” he said.
This is the second time an attempt has been made to burn down the bank.
The first was on Nov 7 last year.
Sources said the bank did not open for business last Friday.
A long queue of customers waited in vain outside as it was Government pay week.
The management could not be reached for comments but an inside source said the bank was re-opened for business just before midday.
A senior public servant condemned the actions of the arsonists, saying the bank was there to provide services to everyone and it was very shameful that some stupid and sick people decided to burn the building.
A Mendi community leader blamed security lapse, adding that despite the heavy presence of police and security forces – the bulk of whom had remained in the province after the just shelved State of Emergency operations – the arsonists could just walk in and light a fire and escape undetected under the noses of police officers manning the nearby police station.

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