Police and fire officials launched an arson investigation after five vehicles caught on fire in Huntington Beach over the course of an hour early Monday. In all, three vehicles were destroyed and two were damaged.
The first fire was reported at 2:20 a.m. when an SUV was burned in the 400 block of 16th Street, authorities said.
At 3 a.m., a Toyota Camry parked outside a home in the 500 block of 19th Street was set on fire.
Police are launching an arson investigation, after several cars went up in flames some time around 2 and 4 a.m.
The fires were just blocks apart, near 14th, 16th and 19th streets.
Resident Nick Broder witnessed an SUV burning across the street from his apartment along Orange Avenue.
“A horn started going off and then I looked out the window, saw a ball of flames, ran out here, tried to see if there is anyone in the car. There was no one in the car, and then it started exploding and the windows started going out. Called the cops right away,” Broder said.
“We love living down here, but I mean, for that to happen so close to home, with the newborn at home, it’s very unsettling,” neighbor Ashley Broder said.
The owner of the SUV, who did not want to appear on camera, said he initially worried that he was specifically targeted, but after hearing about the other fires, he believes the vehicles were randomly targeted. He added that in his opinion, someone is trying to terrorize the community.
“It’s terrifying. My husband and I were sleeping, it was like 2:30-something in the morning, and we heard two giant pops and we thought it was gunfire,” neighbor Beth Williams said.
Police are asking anyone who might have surveillance video, or any information about this case to come forward.
