Boatyard blaze owner killed himself, inquest hears

Thursday 07 January 2016

An inquest into the death of Bob Gallichan – believed to have been the only suspect over the fire that destroyed the St Aubin boatyard last month – has heard that he committed suicide at the end of last year.

Mr Gallichan (63) was found dead at his St Saviour home on 30 December, a civilian police investigator told a short Inquest hearing yesterday afternoon.

Although police have not confirmed the dead man, who owned Gallichan Marine, was the suspect arrested on suspicion of arson two days after the blaze, they did say at the time of the arrest that the suspect was a 63-year-old man.

The police investigator who gave evidence, Tim Rowe, confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances about the death, and that Mr Gallichan’s body had been identified by a family member.

The Deputy Viscount, Advocate Mark Harris, adjourned the inquest after releasing the body for a funeral.

The boatyard was destroyed in a fire in the early hours of 7 December - the threat of fumes from burning fibreglass prompted police to warn people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed.

The Parish Hall was opened early to be used as an evacuation centre for residents.

It took teams of firefighters using four fire engines, an aerial ladder and breathing equipment to bring the blaze under control.

Pic credit: Sean Henstridge