Vandals Sought After 7 Vehicles Catch Fire On South Side
SOUTH SIDE (KDKA) - Investigators are looking into at least seven car fires on the South Side.
The fires started around 1:30 a.m. Friday in the Extra Mile Automotive parking lot in the 1800 block of Josephine Street.
At least seven cars had fire damage. One of the cars had a broken windshield and another car had its tires slashed.
The fires were so intense some of the vehicles melted, making it hard to read the license plates.
Three of the vehicles were in a public parking lot along the street. The other four vehicles were said to be in a private lot farther back on Extra Mile Automotive's property.
It was a call Paul Deiseroth was not expecting.
"He said your shop's on fire," Paul Deiseroth said.
Except, it wasn't his shop that was on fire. Instead, multiple vehicles were burning on the upper and lower lots of Extra Mile Automotive.
"It looks like seven total losses. Three of which were prepared to be sold," Deiseroth said. "They were in working order and now they're not. They're scrap."
Firefighters extinguished the flames and the scene was cleared around 2:30 a.m.
Deiseroth said that they've had vandalism before, but nothing like this. Investigators said that paper and an accelerant were most likely used
He was questioned about disgruntled customers, but couldn't think of anyone who would attack his business that's been in the family for over 40 years.
"Why? I just want to know why someone would do something like this," Deiseroth said. "It's a real - it's a kick in the stomach."
Investigators are looking into the cause of the vehicle fires. They hope surveillance video along the street can help them with the investigation.
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