Polish shop in Willenhall burns down in suspected arson attack

[dutchman]

Devastated Polish shop owner prays arson attack was not race-hate crime



A defiant Polish shop owner has said his business will rise from the ashes after it was destroyed by arsonists - but fears his staff won't get paid over Christmas.

Norbert Krupa, 39, said he was “devastated” as he stood next to the smouldering remains of his burnt out Miodzio store in Coventry this morning.

The Polish-born businessman, who has lived in Coventry for 11 years, told the Telegraph he had no idea why someone would target his shop, in Remembrance Road, Willenhall, which he says has been well received by locals since it opened just over one year ago.

Asked if he thought the attack could have been racially motivated, he said: “I have no idea. I have lived here 11 years and have never had any problems whatsoever.

“I really don’t know why somebody would do this. I have no enemies, there’s no competition. It’s more surprising than anything really.

“Over 25 per cent of our customers are British, they have been loving the shop.

“I’m disappointed someone has tried to put us out of business, but we’ll be back - trust me.”

He added: “I’m just devastated and speechless. I hope they punish whoever did this, but it’s going to be difficult.”

Mr Krupa pledged to get the shop up and running again within six months, but he said his biggest concern was whether he would be able to continue to pay his five members of staff during the rebuilding work.

He said: “We have insurance. We’ll rise from the ashes. It’ll take about six months to rebuild.

“My only concern is the employees. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep them on the payroll that long. It’s obviously going to affect their families too.”

Firefighters were called to the Miodzio Polish shop, in Remembrance Road, Willenhall , shortly after 3am today.

Police are treating the blaze as arson and forensic experts are set to visit the site and launch an investigation.

Four fire engines and a hydraulic platform were sent to deal with the blaze and managed to put the fire out by about 6am.

A spokesman for Binley Fire Station, which was called to tackle the fire, said nobody had been injured in the incident.

The firefighters were able to stop the flames spreading to the neighbouring Co-Op and Bombay Masala Indian takeaway.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We were called to the incident at about 3.40am today.

“It is being treated as arson and forensic experts will be visiting the site this morning.”

Anyone with information about the cause of the fire should contact West Midlands Police by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or click here to report information online.