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Classic Car Dealer Talks About Seeing Damage To Business

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A possible case of arson at a well-known classic car dealership has caused nearly a million dollars in damages.

The company's founder spoke about the fire for the first time Sunday afternoon.

"My wife Robin called me and told me we had a fire and it was pretty bad, a lot of destruction," said Ted Vernon. "I was in North Carolina, so I have been helpless, I'm home today."

Vernon was out-of-town filming for his TV show called "South Beach Classics" when flames engulfed a storage unit at his warehouse along Northwest 7 Avenue and 83 Street Thursday.

While frustrated by the damages, Vernon said there are other things in life that are important.

"It's things, things don't matter, your family matters, we'll fix it, it's a thing, I don't care, it didn't hurt me," said Vernon.

Miami-Dade fire rescue says the fire is suspicious. Officials are continuing to investigate.

"I'm upset some low-life did it, but it's not going to ruin my day it's fine," said Vernon.

A dozen classic cars were damaged or destroyed in fire.

"We have a pretty good police department down here."

Vernon's wife told CBS4 insurance does not cover the damaged vehicles.

"This doesn't knock me down, if the whole damn place burned down I'd come back the next day, this doesn't knock me down, I'm a man," added Vernon.

Watch the report, click here.

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