Bahraini families escape arson attack miraculously

Two Bahraini families miraculously escaped what could have been a terrible fate, in Damistan village, in the western part of the island. This happened as unidentified individuals set their car on fire, during the wee hours of Sunday.

The vehicle was parked inches away from their bedroom’s window. The victim, Mohammed Al Damistani, told DT News yesterday that they were lucky that the fire was extinguished before the car exploded, especially that it had a full tank of fuel and was parked near the mother’s bedroom window.

Al Damistani lives with his wife, two children, his brother and his wife and their mother, who stay on the ground floor.

His wife and sister-in-law first witnessed the fire around 3am when they heard explosion-like noises outside the house.

They first tried to extinguish the fire with water using buckets and a hose, before Civil Defence reached the scene and controlled the fire.

Interestingly, the attackers sprayed the words “death to traitors” on the vehicle before setting it on fire and fleeing the scene.

The man informed that he didn’t suspect anyone as he’s barely in the area due to his work obligations.

The incident was later confirmed by the Interior Ministry. “Civil Defence extinguished a fire that broke out in a vehicle in Damistan,” the ministry tweeted.

The ministry also said that “initial information indicated criminal suspicions and the authorities concerned are proceeding with its procedures.”

“The spray paint that was used to write the phrase was found in a nearby alley by the police and they’re now intensifying their investigations to catch the culprits,” Al Damistani said.

According to his wife, the attackers placed a burning tyre at the rear bottom of the car.

Al Damistani also said that parts of the building’s exterior were damaged by the smoke. “Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before it could burn the power cables, which could have caused a disaster,” he narrated.

The victim, who is a free worker, also said that he managed to save a couple of labourers’ passports that he had apparently kept in the car to process with the authorities, in addition to other important documents that included a cheque.

When asked if he thinks the attack is related to the common tensions and clashes that take place in the area, Al Damistani affirmed that he had no grudge with anyone there because he is outside the village most of the time and has few social relations with the residents.

“This is a coward act. They didn’t care if there are children and elderly in the house. Thank God it was controlled before any further damage could be made,” he added, thanking Civil Defence firemen for their prompt action.