Arsonist caught on video setting California apartment building ablaze, officials say

Fire investigators are asking for help in identifying an arsonist who set fire to an apartment complex office in Lake Forest.

Video footage released by Orange County Fire Authority shows a man pouring a clear liquid on the outside of a building and then setting fire to it.

“He set fire to a building in an apartment complex on El Toro Road early yesterday putting residents in danger,” OCFA posted on its official Twitter account.

The fire caused more than $100,000 in damage to the building, according to KNBC.

”It’s frightening to see it,” Sarah St. Sure, who lives near the building that burned, told KABC.

OCFA investigators said there haven’t been any threats against the staff who work in the office, KABC reported.

”It appears that this was an intentional act that was directed at that specific location and I believe the use of the match was intentional to avoid being injured,” OCFA Fire Investigator Capt. Shaun Miller told KABC.

CBSLA reported seeing an eviction notice on an apartment door. It was dated for Jan. 14, which was the same day the arsonist lit the fire. Investigators said they’re looking into the notice.

OCFA has encouraged anyone with information on the fire or the suspect to call 714-573-6709.

This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 9:06 AM with the headline "Arsonist caught on video setting California apartment building ablaze, officials say."