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Mr Anastasi |
Arson blaze fails to put off defiant grandfather
Diabetic 70-year-old opens shop day after shocking attack
A DEFIANT grandfather has opened his shop just one day after
thieves ransacked his 43-year-old business, setting fire to
the top floor and opening gas taps to fuel the blaze.
Quick-witted Tony Anastasi, 70, avoided further devastation
when, alerted to the blaze just before 7am on Tuesday, he ran
into the shop and turned off the gas mains.
While the fire ravaged through the building his assistant Myroulla
Lysandrou ran to the middle floor and turned off the gas hobs
on the cooker.
The thieves had smashed the front window of the shop looking
for cash but disappointed, they turned to arson. No-one was
in the building at the time.
Firefighters were called and the flames were contained to the
second floor.
Undeterred by the devastation, Mr Anastasi, who lives next door
to his business V & S Catering Supplies in Castlehaven Road,
has already rolled up his sleeves for the big clean-up.
Back at his desk on yesterday (Wednesday) morning, surrounded
by supportive friends and family, Mr Anastasi was welcoming
customers.
He told the New Journal: “For 43 years I have lived here.
I have never had any criminal damage. It’s a surprise to
me because we have a wonderful relationship with the community.
I even know their cats and dogs names. I feel very safe.”
A well-known face in the neighbourhood, Mr Anastasi says he
will reopen as soon as his electricity and gas are reconnected
– but will serve anyone who needs his help in the meantime.
He said he wasn’t worried about another visit from the
burglars, adding: “I don’t think they will come back
because they came looking for money and there’s no money
in this place. If they wanted plates and china they could have
asked me and I would have given them some. I’ve got no
computer, TV or anything like that.”
Because of his poor health, Mr Anastasi, who suffers from diabetes
and angina has been unable to climb to the second floor to assess
the damage.
He said: “At the moment I feel a bit stressed. Why did
this happen to me? All the time I have been here I have not
had any problems with anybody. But we’re not going to let
this affect us. We’ll carry on the same life.”
He added: “The fire brigade and police did a great job.”
While police cordoned off the site on Tuesday, forensic investigators
searched for clues amongst the smashed crockery and glass scattered
across the shop floor.
Anyone with any information should call Camden Police on 0207
404 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
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