Aviat Club in Lae razed

By MALUM NALU
THE Aviat Club, one of the iconic landmarks of Lae, burnt to the ground in the aftermath of a fight that broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Lae police metropolitan commander Supt Nema Mondia last night confirmed the club was set ablaze between 2am and 3am after a fight.
He could not confirm or deny speculation that soldiers were responsible.
However, sources in Lae said yesterday a fight started between a group of people alleged to be soldiers and another group of men, after which the former allegedly set fire to the club.
“I can’t confirm that (soldiers were responsible) at the moment,” Mondia said.
“There were a lot of people at the club.
“I also heard that a fight broke out just before the fire started.
“At his stage, it’s too early to say who was res­ponsible.
“Hopefully by tomorrow, things should come to light and we should be able to establish the cause of the fire.”
Mondia said the whole club, including the bar, restaurant and pokies area, was destroyed in the blaze.