Comfort Castle, Portland – The Port Antonio fire department is investigating Wednesday morning’s fire at the home of Carl White, the brother of Jamaica Labour Party councillor for the Fellowship Division Benny White, whose small shop was set ablaze less than a week before.

Wednesday’s fire, which took place at about 2:00 am, left $100,000 in damage. No one was hurt during the blaze as neighbours quickly extinguished the flames.

Right is a section of the verandah roof that was damaged by the blaze.

Last Thursday’s fire occurred at about 2:25 am and left about $500,000 in damage. Firefighters in the area consider both blazes suspicious.

White is closely aligned to JLP caretaker Dennis Minott, who has been at the forefront of calls for an investigation into allegations of bribery during the last deputy leader’s race in Area Council Two.

“Both fires are suspected arson, however we have not linked the fires to the factions within the JLP and the threats to White, as this can be from an arsonist from the community or someone within the camp. We are investigating both,” a police source said.

On Wednesday, melted plastic bottles were found between the wall and the house as senior police forensic science investigator Fitzmore Coates collected samples from the scenes of both fires. The samples have been taken to the forensic laboratory for testing.