A Pembroke man is unable to work for his construction company after his van was set alight in the early hours of yesterday.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the incident is linked with another vehicle fire earlier in the month.

Judson Williams, the owner of JCM&M Construction and Maintenance, said the vehicle, which recently cost him about $10,000, is a complete write-off and is not covered under insurance for fire damage.

Mr Williams said he cannot afford to lose his daily income.

He told The Royal Gazette: “It is my work van — they wrote it off.

“It has messed me right up. I just finished paying for this van. I use it through the day to work and then in the evenings I make time as a security guard.

“So right now I have to get a bike just to get around to do some work that I have to do. I can’t move my tools, my mixers, my ladders.

“Every day that I am not working is costing me. I would have been busy now especially now that there’s a hurricane. That is when I do a lot of my work putting up storm shutters and blinds.”

Mr Williams has reported the incident to the Bermuda Police Service and believes that there is a camera in the area.

He suspects that the crime was a case of mistaken identity.

He added: “Another van was burnt at Happy Valley last week some time. The night before my van was burnt, that same van appeared near my neighbour’s house.

“I don’t know if whoever burnt that van thought my van was that van.

“That van came to my area the night before. I have nothing to do with the person who owns the other van.”

A police spokesman said investigations were continuing with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service into two recently reported vehicle fires.

One occurred at about 10pm on September 11 on Parsons Road in Devonshire near Happy Dale Road.

The other occurred at about 5am on September 17 on Fentons Drive in Pembroke near Parsons Road.

The spokesman added: “There were no reported injuries, as both vehicles (a white Nissan van and a white Daihatsu van respectively) were left parked and unattended.

“Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the two incidents may be linked.

“Witnesses or members of the public with any information about either vehicle fire are encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744.”