In the early hours of Monday 7 December 2015, Gallichan Marine, on St Aubin Bulwarks, became engulfed in flames, forcing several nearby residents to flee their homes as the fire threatened to spread.
Police and fire investigators confirmed that they believed the fire had been started deliberately and Gallichan Marine owner Bob Gallichan was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson. Mr Gallichan later took his own life while on bail. It was never proven that he started the blaze but following his death the police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire.
Three neighbouring companies are now suing Mr Gallichan’s estate for damage caused to their businesses. Those responding to the claims on behalf of the estate deny all the allegations and say the claimants need to provide ‘strict proof’ that Mr Gallichan started the fire intentionally or at all.
Harbour Front Ltd – which owned the Assembly Rooms and leased part of the property to Gallichan Marine – is claiming almost £270,000, while DL’s café is seeking around £17,000 in damages and Jackson Marine Services almost £10,000.
They claim that Mr Gallichan deliberately started the fire and is therefore liable for damages.
In Royal Court documents, Harbour Front Limited claim: ‘Mr Gallichan’s trespass resulted in the destruction of the GML premises and surrounding area of the Assembly Rooms and, therefore, caused loss and damages to Harbour Front Limited.’
Meanwhile, DL’s café – the tenant of the Harbour Gallery – said it suffered ‘loss of stock, repair costs and loss of trade’ due to the fire, smoke and water damage. Jackson Marine Services claims it suffered damage to equipment as well as repair costs and a loss of trade.
The Royal Court papers state: ‘The fire caused significant damage to the GML premises, the surrounding area of the Assembly Rooms and the Boat Yard.
‘In particular, the part of the GML premises which was the seat of the fire was rendered unsafe and required demolition.
‘The remaining parts of the GML premises, including those areas let to other tenants, suffered damage and required remedial works. At this time, Harbour Front Ltd suffered a loss of rent, and DL’s and MK Jackson Ltd suffered damage to their premises, loss of stock and loss of business.’
Responding to the claim, Bruce Gallichan and Anne Hales – who are among five representatives of the estate – denied the allegations set out in the lawsuit and said that the claimants need to provide ‘strict proof’ that Bob Gallichan caused the fire intentionally or at all.
Bruce Gallichan added that after the fire, Bob had told him that he had not caused the blaze and that the fire had ‘started accidentally from a cause either unknown to Mr Robert Gallichan and/or outside his control’.
The defendants also say that the case should be struck out because proceedings were not started until more than a year after Bob Gallichan’s death.
The case continues.
