The home of a Shoreline executive, Joseph Ramanlal, located at 'Anana village near Nuku'alofa, came under an arson attack early this morning, and family members say that a small fire was started by something like a Molotov cocktail that was thrown over the fence and into their doorway.

Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau confirmed that someone tried to set fire to the home at about 4 a.m. but it was quickly extinguished by members of the household without major damage. Taniela said the police were still investigating the incident.

A member of the household said the fire started outside the house and they suspected that something burning with the smell of petrol, was thrown over the 6ft fence and into the residential compound. The only evident damage to the home was to a wooden doorway.

Joseph Ramanlal, was away overseas, but his mother Fifita and two young children were sleeping inside the building during the attempted arson. Joseph is a Director and a business partner of Tonga'’s Crown Prince Tupouto'a in the Shoreline Group, Tonga's power supplier. He is also an owner of the Pacific Royale Hotel in Nuku'alofa

Meanwhile, after the burning of four government Revenue Service vehicles on Thursday morning, police have stepped up their guard on government buildings.