5 early-morning vehicle fires in Huntington Beach prompt arson investigation

Police and fire officials launched an arson investigation after five cars were set ablaze in Huntington Beach over the course of an hour early Monday.

The first fire was reported at 2:20 a.m. when an SUV was burned in the 400 block of 16th Street, authorities said.

At 3 a.m., a Toyota Camry parked outside a home in the 500 block of 19th Street was set on fire.

The car’s owner, Randy Coe, told reporters at the scene that he was asleep when he heard noises and a small explosion outside his home. He raced to his front yard and saw his sedan engulfed in flames.

“I was sick to my stomach, especially when I found out it was our car,” he said.

About 20 minutes later, police and fire officials responded to another car fire in the 300 block of 14th Street. The cab of a flatbed truck was burning when authorities arrived. Video taken at the scene showed smoke billowing out of the vehicle’s broken window.

Two other cars that sustained fire damage in the area were reported to police later Monday morning, but authorities said they suspect they were also burned about 3 a.m. The fires, which authorities have deemed to be suspicious, all occurred within several blocks of each other, police said.

Authorities have not identified any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at (714) 960-8811.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @Hannahnfry

UPDATES:

1:40 p.m.: This article was updated with information about two additional vehicles burned.

This article was originally published at 8:30 a.m.