A man who was checking to make sure his workplace was safe — instead found it engulfed in flames, a Supreme Court jury heard.

Norris Simpson, who worked for Auction De Mitra, in Booth Hall, on Court Street at the time of the blaze, was testifying in the trial of co-worker Neil Trott, 41, formerly of Loyal Hill Pass in Devonshire.

Trott is accused of stealing a roulette table and is alleged to have burned down the antique shop, which formerly housed a Salvation Army Church, between June 30 and July 1 of last year.

Trott denies burglary and arson and was represented in court by defence lawyer Peter Farge.

Earlier in the trial, the jury heard that Trott and former boss Mitra Johnston had a heated argument over pay. During the dispute Trott allegedly made threats to burn down Mrs. Johnston's shop.

Both Trott and Mr. Simpson were employed on and off for two years to do "hustles" for Mrs. Johnston.

Police were called to the scene and while Sergeant Alexander Rollin tried to calm the dispute, co-worker Mr. Simpson got involved and had to be arrested.

During Mr. Simpson's time in custody, officers found a pipe in his possession. The Sergeant suggested it may have been used in connection with drug use, the court heard.

This was denied by Mr. Simpson, who said yesterday it was socket for a wrench.

Yesterday Mr. Simpson said he left the Hamilton Police Station after 1 a.m. and went to the Esso City Tigermart, in Hamilton, to call his boss.

Mr. Simpson had two $5 calling cards to talk to Mrs. Johnston, but his pay-as-you-go credit lasted only about 30 minutes each time.

"While I was talking to her I went around Court Street to make sure that building was all right," Mr. Simpson said.

He said that "with everything that went on that day" he thought it best if, while he was in town, he checked on the building "to make sure everything was all right."

He then saw smoke billowing from the building on 77 Court Street and went back to Hamilton Police Station to alert police, he said.

In cross-examination, Mr. Farge suggested the witness was angry with his boss that night after he got arrested.

But Mr. Simpson said: "I wasn't angry at Mitra, I was more angry at myself. Why would I have been angry with Mitra?"

Mr. Simpson explained: "Because when I drink, a majority of the times I do say things I should not say and it always gets me into trouble."

Lieutenant Josonne Smith, with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, also gave evidence yesterday in Trott's trial.

The fire investigator who arrived at Auction De Mitra at 4.14 a.m. on July 1 of last year, said the blaze started in a cabinet in an office on the ground floor.

He determined it was not an electrical fire and did not rule out the possibility of arson.

Lt. Smith said: "With the absence of any source of ignition and based on some of the other evidence seen, like the lock in the locked position and still attached to the (door) frame on the north window, air conditioner being pushed in, the lower north-east door being left in the open position, I concluded that this fire was suspicious."

The trial will continue today before Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons.