HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Surveillance video captured a man dousing the outside of a Hollywood business in gasoline before igniting a fire, early Thursday morning.
According to one of the owners of Sun & Fun Cycles, just before 2:30 a.m., someone poured gasoline over the business’ bikes and the back area of the business. The surveillance video shows a man in a hoodie pouring liquid, then a flash of light when the fire ignited.
“He decided to ignite this area by pouring gasoline right here, and then he was pouring gasoline a little bit down here, and then all the way to here,” said Sun & Fun owner Maria Doutcheva, as she pointed to bikes and recycling bins.
Luckily for the business on Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, the fire smoldered out on its own.
Doutcheva, who has owned the business for 16 years, doesn’t know why somebody would have tried to destroy the business. “I don’t know. I have no idea,” she said. “I’m here to protect the community to let everybody know.”
Hollywood Police are investigating the case as vandalism.
Investigators said the subject tried to spray-paint one of the business’ surveillance cameras, but another camera caught him clearly.
Doutcheva said they’re fortunate the fire didn’t spread. She hopes someone will recognize the man and give police information. “I need us to come together to find this person together, and I know that we can do it,” she said.
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