Winnipeg firebomb victim rethinks shutting business

The owner of a firebombed Winnipegautomotive shopis reconsidering a decision to go out of business.

Svenn Tergesen, whose business also includes used car sales,said his insurance companyhas labelled him as a risk because police have linked the crime to what they say is an ongoing turfwar between outlaw motorcycle gangs.

As a result, his insurance company won't cover the damage. As well, some banks haverecalled their loans to people who boughtvehicles from him.

Just after 12 a.m. Sunday,someone broke the window of hisSt. Vital business, DC Automotive, and apparently tossed a firebomb inside the shop and automotive bays.

Later on Sunday, a residence on Royal Avenue in West Kildonan also was targeted. Police are linking the two events and attributing them to an ongoing battle betweenthe Rock Machine and Hells Angels.

Tergesen is adamant he's never been a biker,but he admits to having done business with them and said he's even got some as friends.

He resolutely denies any involvement in the biker lifestyle andclaims to be an innocent victim.

"I also have a whole group of nuns that I deal with. I have a cross-section of all kinds of people from little old ladies to nuns to bikers so, I don't care as long as they pay their bill and are polite," he said.

Earlier onTuesday, he told CBC News he intended toclose uphis business for good once hedealt with his three employees and returned the remainingcars to anauction house.

But when the news came out, Tergesen said a number of customers began calling him and urginghim to stay open.

He is considering it but hasn't made up his mind.

He estimates the damage from the firebomb to be about $200,000 butwithout insurance he has to find that money himself.