LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Two family-owned Boyle Heights appliance stores went up in flames Tuesday. The Los Angeles Fire Department is now investigating the incidents as possible acts of arson.
Firefighters reported to the scene of the first blaze just after 10 a.m. — a one-story building in the 1200 block of South Lorena Street. Flames had already engulfed the store when they arrived, according to the LAFD.
About 15 minutes earlier and less than two miles away, another appliance store owned by the same family went up in flames at the corner of East Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue.
“We believe the two may be tied together. We currently have our arson folks looking at that, as well as LAPD,” Battalion Chief James Flores of the LAFD told KTLA. “Reports are they may be connected. Again, it’s under investigation.”
The contents of both buildings were declared a total loss.
“Honestly our family is very devastated,” a member of the family that owns the business who asked not to be identified told KTLA.
“It doesn’t just accidentally happen. You get me? Like how does two different fires start in two different stores?” she said.
Another family member alleged one of the fires was started by a man who approached the Lorena Street store from the front and flew a flaming object inside. The suspect said, “You are going to burn,” according to the family member.
Arson investigators are searching for a suspect described as male, standing five feet and six inches tall, with a shaved head and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.
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