NT Oriental Emporium fire being investigated as a case of arson

THE fire that ripped through a beloved Darwin store in the early hours of this morning is being investigated as a case of arson, NT Police have confirmed.

The NT Oriental Emporium in Nightcliff engulfed in flames in the early hours of this morning. Picture: Supplied

• Lay family heartbroken over fire, promises to rise from the ashes
• Lay brothers dealt another blow by second fire in two years
• Fire at popular business destroys stock, causes roof to collapse

THE fire that ripped through a beloved Darwin store in the early hours of this morning is being investigated as a case of arson, NT Police have confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, NT Police Crime Division Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Malogorski said his division was investigating the fire at the NT Oriental Emporium, in Coconut Grove, as suspicious.

“The matter is being treated as suspicious and is being investigated as an arson,” he said.

“The matter is still ongoing.”

“We are calling for witnesses – any information available from members of the public, (for them to) call Crimestoppers and provide any valuable information to police.”

MORE CRIME NEWS

Man arrested for allegedly threatening security guard with knife in Darwin CBD

Man, teen allegedly caught red-handed stealing booze from licensed premises in Alice Springs

Human remains found at remote cattle station in Central Australia

Acting Spt Malogorski said police were still working to determine how the fire had started.

However, he noted the fire had caused “several millions of dollars of damage” to the property and “extensively damaged” the building.

“At this stage we’re not sure exactly how the fire was lit, so that’s why we can’t rule out that it was not suspicious,” he said.

“At this stage we are treating it as a suspicious fire, as an arson, which carries life imprisonment, and … it will be treated (as) suspicious unless ruled otherwise.”

OFFER EXTENDED: Subscribe to the NT News for just $1

He said police had not identified any suspects at this stage.

“We’re early in our investigation and all avenues will be explored,” he said.