Supermarket reduced to ‘ashes’ amid Belfast disorder, says manager

A supermarket manager in Belfast said his business had been reduced to “ashes” after it was targeted during disorder in the city.

Bashir criticised police for their response to the violence and said Muslim businesses were being deliberately targeted.

A clean-up operation was under way in the Donegall Road area on Sunday morning following unrest which lasted for several hours the night before.

There was evidence of a number of fires on the road, with bins and some vehicles burnt out.

He said he had been in business for three years and this was the third time he had been targeted.

He told the PA news agency: “Too many things happened… it is against the Muslim community.

“Well, you can say there is nothing (left), it is all dead, there is nothing left, some ashes only.

“People attacked this place, racism against Islam and Muslims, especially the Muslim community.”

Bashir amongst the burnt-out remains of a shop
Bashir at the scene on Sunday morning (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

“When they stop all of that then we will talk about it.

“All of that happened and the police did nothing, I am telling you the truth.

“What kind of police are letting the people burn everything down?

“I don’t know where is the safety in that, it is all rubbish.”

Shutters and sign above a business shows fire damage
The front of the business has been extensively damaged by fire (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

He said: “How do I feel? I can’t describe it, empty mind, we couldn’t even sleep (last night), the words, I can’t even describe what has happened to be honest.

“There is no message for people like this.

“When people do this, when people do something like this, you think they will accept the message?”

A view through a broken window of the inside of a burnt-out business premises
Damage caused to a cafe on the Donegall Road (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

Windows were broken at the business and the interior was extensively damaged by smoke and fire.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended a shop and a cafe on fire on the Donegall Road on Saturday night. It said the cause of both fires had been determined as deliberate.

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