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Message May Be Linked To Pain Clinic Fire

HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – Hollywood Police say they are investigating a fire at a medical clinic as an arson and are trying to determine whether a cryptic message scrawled on the side of the building is connected to the blaze.

The fire at the Hope Medical and Wellness Medical Clinic at 2841 Hollywood Boulevard broke out around 9:30 on Christmas night.

When firefighters arrived they made quick work of the fire but noticed a bizarre message written on the side of the building in red paint.

The message reads, "U killed my son drug dealer":

Fire officials are not sure if the person responsible for the fire is also responsible for the message.

"We haven't been able to determine what connection there is if there is any at all between the graffiti and the actual incident," said Division Chief Joel Medina.

But Louis Taveras who works a few doors down from the clinic is certain this is more than a coincidence.

"It's a sign and it's a warning," Taveras told CBS4's Carey Codd. "If you really look at the message, it's a warning and they're not going to stop until they actually find out what happened. And I personally think it's a vendetta."

Hollywood Police say they are searching for surveillance video from nearby businesses to see if it reveals what happened. The man who owns the building says he hasn't heard of any problems at the medical office.

"Never heard any one complaint from anybody at any time," said a man named Warren, refusing to give his last name.

Hollywood Police say they are also in the process of determining if there had been any police activity at this office or threats made against it.

CBS 4 spoke with a man who identified himself as the office manager at the clinic.

He said little but said he believes this message is merely a misdirection to throw off investigators.

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