Police are investigating a morning fire at a South Windsor limousine lot as arson after discovering “Molotov cocktails” planted inside the vehicles.
“Although arson is sometimes difficult to determine, sometimes it’s quite obvious,” said Staff Sgt. Gerry Corriveau of the Windsor police arson unit. “In this case, it’s obvious.”
Corriveau said the fire had multiple points of origin, and investigators found multiple items “similar to a Molotov cocktail.”
“In this case, a plastic vessel full of an accelerant which we believe to be gasoline. With wicks inserted in them.”
Windsor Fire and Rescue was alerted about a blaze at 2810 Dougall Ave. around 5:40 a.m. Thursday.
The address is a car lot for the businesses Limos By Mr. J’s and Jack Car Motors Ltd.
Firefighters arrived to find flames inside the garage-style building. A glass panel on the building had been smashed open.
Corriveau said the fire was put out relatively quickly, but the damage had been done — estimated at $100,000 to the building and $400,000 to the custom-made vehicles inside.
Two limos were totally consumed, Corriveau said.
When three other limos were examined, investigators found the incendiary devices inside each of them.
Asked why they didn’t ignite, Corriveau replied: “Sheer luck.”
“My guess would be that the arsonist was counting on the initial fire to set off the others. Sometimes that occurs, sometimes it doesn’t. Fires do very strange things.”
No one was on the property at the time of the incident.
Corriveau said the investigation is continuing.
Anyone in the area who saw anything suspicious is encouraged to call police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4325 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477.
“Although arson is sometimes difficult to determine, sometimes it’s quite obvious,” said Staff Sgt. Gerry Corriveau of the Windsor police arson unit. “In this case, it’s obvious.”
Corriveau said the fire had multiple points of origin, and investigators found multiple items “similar to a Molotov cocktail.”
“In this case, a plastic vessel full of an accelerant which we believe to be gasoline. With wicks inserted in them.”
Windsor Fire and Rescue was alerted about a blaze at 2810 Dougall Ave. around 5:40 a.m. Thursday.
The address is a car lot for the businesses Limos By Mr. J’s and Jack Car Motors Ltd.
Firefighters arrived to find flames inside the garage-style building. A glass panel on the building had been smashed open.
Corriveau said the fire was put out relatively quickly, but the damage had been done — estimated at $100,000 to the building and $400,000 to the custom-made vehicles inside.
Two limos were totally consumed, Corriveau said.
When three other limos were examined, investigators found the incendiary devices inside each of them.
Asked why they didn’t ignite, Corriveau replied: “Sheer luck.”
“My guess would be that the arsonist was counting on the initial fire to set off the others. Sometimes that occurs, sometimes it doesn’t. Fires do very strange things.”
No one was on the property at the time of the incident.
Anyone in the area who saw anything suspicious is encouraged to call police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4325 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477.