A MERSEYSIDE pub was torched yesterday as part of an escalating vendetta against two local businessmen.
The Cabbage Inn, on Fleetwoods Lane, Netherton, was firebombed just after 3.15am – forcing the landlady and her partner to flee for their lives.
They were woken by their dog barking as flames took hold in the bar area.
Detectives confirmed the arson was the latest in a long line of attacks against entrepreneurs Terry Riley and John Ball.
At the weekend, the Birkdale home of security boss Mr Ball was shot at for the second time this year.
He was out, but his wife was in and his children were in bed at the time. Up to five shots were fired.
Numerous addresses linked to the pair have been firebombed and shot at since the turn of the year as local gangsters are thought to be trying to extort money.
The smouldering remains of the Cabbage Inn have been taped off by police as forensic and fire investigators worked inside.
Flames blew out of the downstairs windows.
