WESTERN BUREAU:

One week after residents forced the cancellation of the first burial at the Royal Rest Cemetery in Burnt Ground, Hanover, arsonists have resorted to more intimidatory tactics by firebombing sections of the property, causing damage in excess of $2 million.

The incident occurred last Saturday at approximately 11:30 p.m., Dale Delapenha of Delapenha Funeral Homes, owners of the cemetery, told The Gleaner.

A storeroom that housed heavy-duty equipment, paints, beds and television sets was burnt beyond recognition, while sections of the fencing and grassland were badly damaged.

After doing damage on Saturday, the daring perpetrators returned on Sunday morning and padlocked the gates to the property, locking the occupants inside.

"Mayhem and disorder have won, and what this is telling me is that any group can stop the legal operation of any business in this country at will," the frustrated businessman said.

There has been a long-standing dispute between the residents of the area, operators of the funeral home and the National Environment and Planning Agency. The residents are adamant that no one should be buried there, as they believe the chemicals used to preserve bodies will contaminate the water table, thus affecting their water supply.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com