Arsonist strikes several cars in Lauderhill neighborhood, nearly setting home on fire

Firefighters have been called to same street 4 times

LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Police in Lauderhill are searching for at least one suspect after several fires were set in a quiet neighborhood.

Multiple cars were damaged and one fire nearly spread to a home.

Police were back on the same Lauderhill street for the fourth time in a week, gathering evidence and taking photographs.

Residents were baffled and scared as they surveyed the damage on Tuesday.

"I saw my car was on fire," said Flora Joshua, who was asleep with her family when authorities arrived to extinguish the flames.

"Only God knows what would have happened," she said.

The first fire was set on Wednesday when a green Dodge parked outside the home was targeted. On Sunday, the arsonist came back and targeted a black Infiniti, parked next to the Dodge.

Monday, the home was targeted.

“I think it’s a looney out there," said Jean Massenat, who owns the green Dodge. "If you got a family asleep and somebody set your house on fire, you know what can happen.”

Fire damage is seen on two cars outside a Lauderhill home after an arsonist set several fires on the same street. (WPLG)

Fire officials have sent a substance to the lab in hopes of figuring out what was used to set the cars on fire.

“I just want the person to be caught because my life is at risk, my family’s life is at risk,” one resident said. “I am terrified.”

In addition to Lauderhill police and Lauderhill Fire Rescue, the state marshal's office is also involved in the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).


About the Author

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba. 

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