Arson suspects set themselves on fire in California
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (CNN/KYMA, KECY) - Two arsonists were caught on camera accidentally setting themselves on fire in Bakersfield, California.
A jaw dropping video shows both people wearing dark clothing, pouring what appears to be gasoline on the ground and on to the side of the building.
Just after midnight Monday, the Kern County Fire Department received calls for what they initially thought was a ground fire outside a small business on Niles Street and Camino Primavera.
However, this video reveals a whole different story as the business Servicio de Immigracion, also known as Immigration Services, was set on fire by two suspects.
Shortly after dousing more gasoline and spraying it all over the camera, one of the suspects then ignites the flame that would then set the building on fire, but then accidentally set themselves on fire too.
It looked like a scene straight out of a movie.
They did not stop, drop and roll, but, instead, they're then seen running away while still on fire.
Officials say when they saw the footage, they were shocked at what led up to the fire.
Captain Andrew Freeborn from the Kern County Fire Department told reporters, "the footage is quite dramatic, and we hope that these individuals are identified quickly."
He says the fire was put out in about 10 minutes.
Captain Freeborn says, "when the firefighters arrived, they had found that the fire was located towards the rear of the structure and the garage area."
He says smoke got inside the building but firefighters were able to keep flames contained to the garage area.
Unfortunately, damage was already done. Video of the aftermath shows what was lost in the fire, including an industrial fan burned and a ring security camera melted away.
The owner of the business tells reporters he's devastated and doesn't know how to move on from something like this.
Part of his services is to also file his clients' taxes, and with tax season nearing, the future of the business is uncertain.
He says it saddens him to know that someone would want to see his three-year-old business burn down.
As far as the suspects; it's unclear how badly they were injured.
