San Diego
Investigators suspect arsonists are responsible for a fire and explosion that caused more than $200,000 in damage to a single-story commercial building in the Rolando area early Monday morning, a Fire Department spokesman said.
The blaze began at 3 a.m. at the 20-year-old mini-mall at 6100 University Ave. and took firefighters more than an hour to subdue.
“A flammable liquid was poured on the structure and two suspects were seen running from the scene,” firefighter Rick Valdez said. “But there were no injuries.”
Police Capt. Jeff Carle of the Metro Arson Strike Team said the hardest-hit stores were P.M. Liquor and Jennifer’s Fashions.
“They suffered pretty heavy damage to their stock and probably won’t be allowed to reopen soon,” Carle said.
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