Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Security boosted after hotel dorm fire bombing

Reefs Hotel workers wait out side of the Employee entrance to the hotel Monday afternoon.

Staff and management at The Reefs were left stunned after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the hotel’s employees’ dormitory.The attack came after industrial action last Sunday at the Southampton resort, when three Bermudian maintenance staff were told their jobs were to be cut.Police said last night no arrests had been made in connection with the attack on Wednesday. A spokesman added: “As the incident is under investigation, there is not much more we can say at this time, other than to continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”The Reefs general manager Nagma Walker said: “It is with great regret and disappointment I can confirm there was an incident at The Reefs staff dormitories on Wednesday morning, November 9, around 1am.“The police department and forensics attended the scene and are in the process of investigating this incident.“Additional security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of our staff. This is an unfortunate incident which has left all of our staff, both local and foreign, visibly upset and perplexed by the events that have taken place.”Attending the scene in the early hours of Wednesday, police reported finding a damaged window and the remains of the device. Ms Walker said there had been no disruption in service to guests.New Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert sharply condemned the attack. “The actions taken by these individuals are extremely silly and should not be tolerated,” he said. “I hope that these individuals are brought quickly to justice.”One Bermuda Alliance MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: “We in the OBA deplore this cowardly act by persons unknown.“These actions could have had serious consequences to the health and welfare of the intended victims, as well as to innocent bystanders. “I sincerely trust that the police are able to successfully investigate this heinous crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.”Hotel owner David Dodwell returns to the Island next week from a promotional trip to the UK. Both he and David Dodwell Jr conveyed their “heartfelt gratitude” to staff.It could not be confirmed if the firebomb attempt was linked to cutbacks being made at the hotel. The November 6 labour dispute saw housekeeping staff call an impromptu strike in support of the three fired workers.They downed tools, following a meeting in which the three were told that their jobs had been cut.The Reefs announced earlier this month that it was cutting back operations at the start of next year, using the slow winter season for a few months of renovations.Guests will still be able to book condo accommodation, but 62 rooms and cottage spaces will close from January to March.The popular South Shore hotel, which employs more than 100 workers, has fought hard to maintain its edge amid a depressed tourist industry.