A resident from the Hollywood area is anxiously awaiting for local law enforcement to apprehend a speculated arsonist who allegedly launched a firebomb into a private dwellings. The alleged act, captured by a security camera, revealed a figure lobbing a bottle over the protective barrier of a property located in West Lake Village at the early hour of 4 a.m. on the 16th of June. The subsequent result of this incident was displayed as an enlarged ball of fire appearing in the video footage mere moments after the bottle was released.
Michael Hoffman, a resident of the community who lived in close proximity to the incident, communicated his anxiety to 7News during an interview held on the subsequent Friday. ‘The event is peculiar and seems quite unusual,’ he commented. He, along with his family, inhabit a residence directly adjacent to the barrier over which the alleged firebomb was launched. ‘There was only a single, powerful blast,’ he further added in his interview.
Upon inspection, Hoffman discovered evidence of charred earth and fragments of glass littered not too far from his domicile. ‘My initial assumption was that a sudden storm was the cause,’ he conjectured. The rudimentary firebomb was crudely fashioned from a beer bottle stuffed with gauze. The fortunate part of this incident was the choice of where this device landed – on the concrete road rather than on dried grass which could have sparked a wildfire.
On the day before the interview, 7News documented another similar incident occurring in the vicinity of the Hollywood Boardwalk. During this event, it was noted that an individual launched a firebomb in the general direction of the backdoor of Broadwalk Restaurant. This establishment, located within 1400 block of North Surf Road, was allegedly targeted at around 4:45 a.m.
Danielle Thomas, co-owner of the Broadwalk Restaurant, was incredulous when she reviewed the footage caught on her surveillance camera. ‘The back alleyway was set ablaze, leading to a fire damaging the bucket and coming perilously close to our ice dispenser,’ she expressed. ‘The fire spread to the driveway as well.’
In this instance, the security footage successfully identified the suspected perpetrator as they made their escape in a red Toyota Corolla. Nevertheless, the detectives working this case stated they didn’t perceive any connections between this incident and the one that occurred at West Lake Village.
Hoffman voiced his hope that investigators can track down whoever instigated the suspected arson and ascertain their motivations. ‘It is difficult to say, but I prefer to believe that my residence was not their intended target,’ he declared. Regardless of the uncertainty, Hoffman expressed his relief that no residents were harmed and the damage was primarily superficial.
If you are privy to any information pertaining to either of these events, you’re urged to contact the Broward County Crime Stoppers at the following number: 954-493-TIPS. It’s worth noting that those providing crucial information can choose to remain anonymous, and could be entitled to receive a financial reward of up to $5,000.