Firebomb No. 3 for dairy

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 3

Firebomb No. 3 for dairy

PA Auckland Running a dairy was meant to be a better lifestyle for Trisha and Kelly Kelsen, the owners of a Sandringham dairy gutted by firebomb early yesterday morning. In the six months the Kelsens have owned “Trisha’s Dairy” they have been the victims of three petrol-bomb attacks. The first failed to ignite, the second caused

substantial damage and now the third has gutted the shop and damaged a storeroom and spare room above. Mr Kelsen estimates they will claim for about $20,000 from the second insurance company they have dealt with since buying the business. They were asleep in their flat above the shop when they were awakened about 4.20 a.m. by a noise “like stock falling off the shelf.” By the time

they got downstairs the shop was blazing and they escaped through a back door. Neighbours who raised the alarm heard a bang, but saw no-one running away or leaving by car from the dairy. The Kelsen’s are mystified by the recurring attacks. They have no enemies they know of and see themselves as just an ordinary couple working hard in their own business.

“We have absolutely nothing to hide; we thought it was done with last time this happened. But these ghouls have come back. Perhaps if this person has a problem they could call someone to talk about it," Mr Kelsen said. A shaken Mrs Kelsen said, “This time it could have easily been our lives.” None of the Kelsens’ personal belongings was damaged.