CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A fire that destroyed a business in southeast Charlotte late Sunday night was arson, according to fire investigators.
Fire officials describe the fire as “incendiary in nature”, meaning some kind of device was used to intentionally cause it.
Charlotte Fire Department responded to a fire at a strip mall in the 6700 block of Independence Boulevard near the intersection with W.T. Harris Boulevard around 11 p.m. Sunday. A team of more than two dozen firefighters got the fire under control in about 20 minutes, according to CFD.
An Avis/Budget car rental service was destroyed by the flames and smoke. A few other businesses, including a spa and studio, were damaged by smoke from the fire.
Charlotte Fire said they've determined the fire was intentionally set. No arrests have been made at this time and no suspect information was released by authorities.
Stephanie Arias, better known by her customers at ‘Sarias,’ spent Monday alongside her husband salvaging what she could of her makeup studio and beauty salon.
“It’s just been really hard, because I’ve put in a lot of effort and a lot of tears,” Arias said. “I haven’t recovered all of my investment yet, and I have to dig in somehow to get back on my feet. It’s just overwhelming for me.”
Arias had just moved her business into the building in October. Still finding her way as an entrepreneur, she had yet to find the proper insurance.
Arias’ business was damaged by smoke and water.
Arson detectives are handling the case, and since one or more businesses appear to be the victim, they’ll start by looking into possible disgruntled customers.
“I’m still trying to process what happened,” Arias said.
Investigators plan to go through surveillance video in the area to look for leads on suspects. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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