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Fiery bombs tossed in shop

The Molotov cocktails were found as deputies investigated a break-in at a dive shop. It looks like one firebomb ignited, but then went out on its own.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published December 1, 2005

SPRING HILL - State and local authorities are investigating a firebombing and vandalism incident that did minor damage to a Spring Hill dive shop Wednesday.

State fire marshal's Detective Thomas Bosco said deputies investigating a possible break-in at the Down Under Scuba shop at 5325 Commercial Way early Wednesday discovered that three Molotov cocktails had been tossed through a hole in a plate glass window.

Molotov cocktails are glass bottles filled with a flammable liquid with a rag stuffed inside for a wick. The wick is lit and the bottle hurled toward a target. The name is taken from V.M. Molotov, onetime Soviet foreign minister.

Although it appeared that at least one of the firebombs ignited, the fire extinguished itself before it could spread.

"I suppose the best thing you can say is that it wasn't as bad as it could have been," said Bosco.

Neither Bosco nor the Hernando County Sheriff's Office would offer much comment on the incident, which remains under investigation. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday evening.

In October, a similar early morning fire caused by Molotov cocktails caused minor damage to the Discovery Point Child Development Center on Seven Hills Drive in Spring Hill.

Bosco said that although there is no known connection between the two incidents, authorities will be looking into any similarities.

Down Under Scuba owner Steve Bartlett said that although the shop's front window had a hole large enough for someone to crawl through, it appeared that nothing inside was taken. Also, Bartlett said the business phone and TV cable lines had been cut and a hose from a compressed air tank behind the building had been severed.

Bartlett, who has owned the dive shop for two years, said as far as he was aware, the business had never received any threats. He didn't think the damage was caused by disgruntled former employees or customers.

"We've never had a problem with anyone," Bartlett said. "All I know is that whoever did it intended to burn the place to the ground."

Rick and Linda Morra, whose Cracked Egg restaurant is next door to Bartlett's scuba shop, said the incident left them a little unnerved.

"It was so out of the blue," said Linda Morra. "It makes you wonder when you go to bed what you're going to wake up to."

Bartlett said that other than some scorched paint on the floor and a slightly damaged display case, none of his merchandise sustained damage. The shop will be open today.

Authorities asked anyone with information to call toll-free 1-877-662-7766. The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention has offered up to a $2,500 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible.

--Logan Neill can be reached at 352 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 01:07:16]