COMMUNITY spirit was at an all time high as local contractors and residents united to help reopen a restaurant targeted in a suspected arson attack.

La Tana Italian in Ladies’ Mile Road, Patcham, Brighton, was gutted when flammable liquid was poured through the letter box and set alight.

A mission to refurbish the restaurant after the blaze two weeks ago has now been finished, with locals pulling together to offer the owners their services for the restaurant to open its doors again last night.

Ali Shokouhfar, who co-owns La Tana with his wife Honey, said: “We had to close for two weeks and it has been very hard.

“The community has been very helpful, coming to help clean up and remove items that were damaged.”

Mrs Shokouhfar told The Argus before they reopened last night: “Everyone has been a great help and has come together to help, working a lot of long days and starting early in the morning.

“We are very pleased with the result. It’s just so nice to see the support we have been shown.

“We have lots of bookings already.”

The fire broke out just after midnight and caused severe damage to the restaurant on June 18 as the owners were preparing for a busy Father’s Day.

The front door was destroyed, thick smoke damaged the interior and soot covered bottles on the bar.

The air conditioning units and lights were rendered useless when they melted in the heat of the fire.

Nick Poyner, a Patcham resident and contractor who offered his services to the couple, said: “This is a community restaurant and Patcham has a great community spirit.

“Really there are lots of people who have been working on the restaurant to come and help Ali.

“Everyone just wants to do their bit. The fire risked the lives of the people living upstairs.

“It’s also the psychological damage that it’s had. This restaurant is opening again and will be full with the community.”

Mr and Mrs Shokouhfar said it was the fourth time that they had been the targets of similar attacks since November last year.

The family business has had its windows broken twice, Mr Shokouhfar’s car has been vandalised and before the fire started a petrol canister was left outside their home.

CCTV footage shows two men walking up to the front door minutes after Mr Shokouhfar cloed.

One man was spotted putting something through the door before setting the item alight. Both men then ran away.

Sussex Police arrested a 52-year-old man from Hove but he was later released under investigation.