firebomb on New Year's Eve.

The attacker threw a bottle filled with gas, containing a flaming rag, at the window of the house in the Tiger Bay area of St. George's.

It appears that the bottle smashed the window but did not go into the house, although some smoke damage was reported inside.

The blaze was extinguished by a passing motorist before it could cause much damage.

St. George's couple Mr. Andre and Mrs. Dorys Caisey spotted the fire around 9 p.m. as they were driving past the house.

Mr. Caisey hailed a taxi to call 911, alerting the fire brigade and the Police. He then attempted to put out the fire himself.

Five fire appliances responded but when they arrived the fire had burned itself out, with Mr. Caisey's help.

A Fire Service spokesman said damage was minimal but the investigation had been referred to Police. "I can't confirm or deny'' that a molotov cocktail was involved, he said.

Police also refused to give the cause of the fire but Mr. Caisey, and other witnesses, said they saw an officer remove a Heineken beer bottle with a rag inside it.

Mr. Caisey said: "I could smell gas in it. The cloth was still burning.'' Mr.

White was off the Island when the fire happened. His housekeeper was also out of the house.

Speaking from Canada, where he spent the New Year, Mr. White said he was shocked to hear the news but could not comment because he knew nothing about the incident.

He was attempting to contact St. George's CID, who are dealing with the incident, last night.