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‘Garapan fire was intentional’
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Posted on Feb 06 2023
A report from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services that was made public over the weekend states that the fire that severely damaged the former Mom’s Round Two Bar and Grill in Garapan was set intentionally.
According to the DFEMS report, the investigation by the DFEMS Division of Fire Prevention and Arson determined that the fire that set ablaze the abandoned bar and grill was intentional.
“After conducting scene investigations and interviews, it was revealed the fire was set intentionally. A male suspect was arrested on scene,” said the report.
Although the suspect, which the Saipan Tribune learned is a notorious homeless man who roams the nearby streets, has been apprehended, the man has yet to be brought before a judge.
The report stated that last Feb. 2, at around 1:24pm, fire dispatch received a call reporting a fire at the former Mom’s Round Two Bar and Grill.
The first responding units arrived on scene at around 1:26pm and the fire was under control and extinguished at around 1:53pm, DFEMS stated.
There were no fatalities and the fire did not find its way to neighboring establishments or structures.
DFEMS said the building sustained moderate to severe heat and smoke damage and the fire originated from the northern part of the structure and the fire was started from the inside.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, the man who called dispatch for assistance said the fire began after a known homeless man came walking out of the abandoned building.
The man who called dispatch told Saipan Tribune that he was at the nearby carwash when he noticed the known homeless man enter the abandoned building.
The witness stated that he immediately took out his phone to record a video. In the video that he showed fire investigators, the man he claims could have started the fire was seen leaving the building as flames started to erupt.
The witness stated that he immediately yelled at the suspect, who rapidly walked away once he noticed the man taking a video of him.
Another witness who works at a nearby establishment stated that the homeless man is known to cause trouble in the village, but he has never heard of him committing crimes as serious as arson.
