Arsonist Targets Wynwood Warehouse Twice
MIAMI (CBS4) – Miami fire officials are investigating a pair of fires in the same building that erupted just hours apart.
Investigators suspect someone deliberately set both fires in the Wynwood warehouse at 31 NW 29th Street.
The first fire was reported around 8:45 p.m. Sunday night by a police officer who spotted thick smoke billowing out of the building.
"This was something that was intentionally set," said Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Ignatius "Iggy" Carrol.
The fire was put out, but a few hours later, CBS4's Kara Kostanich was preparing a live report from outside the warehouse around 4:30 a.m. Monday morning when she spotted smoke billowing out of same building. She immediately called 911.
Firefighters returned to the building and extinguished the fire.
"We found multiple fires in here," said Carrol.
In fact, four separate fires were set throughout the building in both cases, according to Carrol. Accidental or electrical fires usually start in one place and then spread. Investigators say someone set this fire.
"Right now, we're definitely dealing with someone who is intentionally trying to burn this building down," stated Carrol.
The owner of the building, Yongyuth Nethongkom, showed up Monday morning.
"I'm shocked, I'm shocked," said Nethongkom, who also said he doesn't know why his warehouse was targeted by an arsonist.
"I have no idea, have no idea. I don't know the reason why they do this to me," he said.
Nethongkom owns seven Sushi Siam restaurants in Miami-Dade County. He said he uses the warehouse to store restaurant equipment and supplies.
Miami Fire Rescue and federal investigators are working on the case.
