PETROZAVODSK, October 19 (RIA Novosti) - A bar in northwestern Russia owned by an immigrant from the North Caucasus has been set on fire, an emergency situations department in the republic of Karelia said Thursday.

According to preliminary reports, the incident in the Karelian town of Olonets was preceded by a conflict between the bar's Azerbaijani renter and local youths. A canister with an inflammable liquid was found at the site.

The bar belongs to a Chechen national living in Olonets, which has the largest Chechen community in Karelia.

The northwestern Russian republic hit the headlines in early September when a fatal brawl in the city of Kondopoga triggered a wave of protests against criminal immigrant groups from the Caucasus, which control the local markets. Following the rioting, many Chechens fled the city fearing for their lives.

A total of 109 people were detained on suspicion of being involved in the mass disturbances in the city of 35,000, and criminal cases were opened against eight.