Deputies took a man into custody on Monday for allegedly setting fire to Oakland Park City Hall over the weekend, NBC 6 South Florida reported.
A man is facing an arson charge in connection with a fire at Oakland Park City Hall over the weekend https://t.co/gS0oHOfITy
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) January 25, 2021
Officials arrested and charged Elvis Thomas Ford, 37, for second-degree arson, NBC 6 South Florida reported.
According to authorities, Ford, the suspect, lit a piece of paper and placed it inside a plastic box attached to the building, the local outlet reported. The fire melted the box and spreading flames damaged the building near its entrance, the outlet reported.
The fire was reported at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
The owner of a nearby restaurant said he put out the flames with a fire extinguisher after noticing the fire, the local outlet reported. (RELATED: Two Washington State Churches Damaged By Fires On Same Day, Authorities Suspect One Case Is Arson)
“I thought maybe someone fainted, or passed out, so I went over there to see what was going on thinking it was a medical emergency, and that’s when I saw everything was on fire,” Patrick Little, owner of The Butcher’s Barrel, said to NBC 6 South Florida.
Ford is in jail without bond and attorney information is not available, according to NBC 6 South Florida.