
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 6, 1994                   TAG: 9404060046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

INVESTIGATORS FIND EVIDENCE OF ARSON AT CLUB

Salem fire investigators have collected a sample of flammable liquid from the roof of Mixers Restaurant & Lounge, the nightclub that was destroyed by a suspicious fire Saturday night.

The fire ignited at about 11:50 p.m. as patrons gathered on the dance floor. According to eyewitness reports, first an explosion was heard, then the dance-floor ceiling caved in. More than 70 people escaped uninjured.

Riyadh Gibriel, the owner of the restaurant, told police after the fire that he had received threats. Police did not elaborate on the type of threats, but did say they were not death threats.

Salem and state police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Salem police at 375-3083.

by CNB