Fire At Compton Strip Mall Believed To Be Started With Molotov Cocktail
COMPTON (CBSLA) — Investigators confirmed a fire that tore through a Compton strip mall early Wednesday morning was purposely set with a Molotov cocktail.
A fire broke out at the strip mall along Alondra Boulevard, between Atlantic and the 710 Freeway, at about 4 a.m. Wednesday, destroying a laundromat and damaging a number of neighboring businesses.
Compton Fire confirms arson investigators are looking into reports someone threw Molotov cocktail into laundromat, sparking this morning's strip mall fire @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/BNGLMCU9LI
— Kara Finnstrom (@KaraFinnstrom) August 15, 2018
A worker at a bakery in the same strip mall ran out and saw the flames, taking a picture of the fire as it was burning. The photo shows the flames and smoke pouring out of one unit.
The laundromat was left a charred shell, with scorched dryers and folding tables visible from the street.
One witness, who asked not to be identified, said he saw four men throw a Molotov cocktail into the laundromat, then take off in a car, laughing.
Alondra was shut down as firefighters mopped up after the fire.