FOLEY, Ala. — Following a two and a half hour public hearing on Tuesday, Foley City Council members unanimously voted to revoke the business license of Club Evolution, billed as an alternative dance club.

Approximately 50 people were on hand for the public hearing, which was set the day after Monday's city council meeting due to the number of people expected to have input in the public hearing.

Club Evolution, located at 8380 Ala. Hwy. 59, had been at the center of a months-long controversy with the city that resulted in the adoption of an ordinance that puts in place a "last call" for alcohol in Foley bars and nightclubs. Club Evolution management and patrons said the ordinance, which prohibits the sale of alcohol in city bars from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., would hurt both the club and what they alleged was a growing nightlife that was pulling in tourists from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Club management also alleged Foley police were targeting the club as a gay bar, which club owner Sixto Rivera Jr. denied.

Just hours after the city council revoked Club Evolution's business license, employees and patrons at Rusty's Restaurant & Lounge at 926 W. Laurel Ave. smelled smoke inside the business. According to a news release issued by Foley Police Department on Thursday, an employee of Rusty's went outside and found the north wall of the business on fire. Approximately 20 patrons and employees were evacuated from the business. Foley Fire Department responded and put out the fire. Police said fire officials found a burning gas can a few from the wall.

An investigation into the fire resulted in three suspects being arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree arson, a Class A felony. Lee Ann Teal, Michael Cory Brackin and Troy Dolihite were at Club Evolution on the evening of the public hearing, police said, discussing the revocation of the business license earlier that evening. The owner of Rusty's had made comments against Club Evolution during the public hearing. Upset over the club's business license being revoked, police said Teal, Brackin and Dolihite left Club Evolution, retrieved a gas can, filled the gas can at Dodge's in Foley, and Teal drove Dolihite and Brackin to Rusty's.

Brackin and Dolihite are alleged to have run behind Rusty's, splashed the gas on the wall, lit it and ran to a spot where Teal picked them up. Teal is the mother of Brackin and Dolihite is her boyfriend. Dolihite was burned on the arm while lighting the gas, police said.

Teal was found at her residence on Workman Road in Foley. Dolihite was found at his residence on Yupon Road in Magnolia Springs, and Brackin was arrested at Sixto Rivera's residence in Foley.

Besides Foley Fire Department, the investigation into the fire was assisted by Alabama Fire Marshal investigators and an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Undercover officers sent into Club Evolution prior to Tuesday's public hearing said open sexual activity was occurring inside the club. Officers also said underage drinking was occurring in the club, and club management was not observing the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew regarding sale of alcohol. Club management denied the allegations of sexual activity and said there was zero tolerance at the club for underage drinking. Also, management said only food and non-alcoholic beverages were served during the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. time period.