DETROIT – A suspect is in custody after investigators say someone intentionally set shopping carts on fire outside E & L Supermercado in Southwest Detroit on Monday morning as employees prepared to open the store.
Alma Ortiz, who works nearby, said she saw the fire grow quickly.
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“As I opened the door, huge flames were taking over the whole front of the store,” Ortiz said.
Detroit firefighters were dispatched shortly after 7:45 a.m. to the supermarket at West Vernor Highway and Cavalry Street. A second alarm was called for extra manpower, but it was quickly downgraded after the fire was knocked down.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters as a result of the fire, investigators said.
Ortiz said the incident is hard to understand.
“It is unimaginable that someone could do this to such a store,” Ortiz said.
Investigators said video obtained during the investigation helped lead Detroit police to locate a suspect and arrest the person believed to be responsible.
E & L Supermercado has been serving Southwest Detroit for decades.
“It is a staple for the neighborhood. A lot of people shop here, including the fire department,” Detroit Fire Department Chief Samuel Vasquez said.
Ortiz said the store is a key resource for nearby residents.
“It is going to affect a lot of people. A lot of people here walk,” Ortiz said.
In the heavily Hispanic neighborhood, many residents come to the store for specialty foods and items that reflect the community’s culture.
“Every day, from whenever they open until close, all the parking lot is full. Even sometimes our parking gets full with their people,” Ortiz said.
There was no damage to the building’s interior, and the owner said he is optimistic the store will reopen soon.
“I am just glad to hear it is not going to be the end of them, that they will come back,” said Ali Razvi, who lives in the neighborhood.