Arson believed to be cause of Indy barber shop, beauty salon fire
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Authorities are asking for help in an arson investigation at a north-west side shopping plaza.
Nobody was injured in the fire, but several businesses in a northwest-side shopping plaza are now closed. They are near the intersection of 56th Street and Georgetown Road.
“They are not in business now. They’re losing revenue. This malicious act, it affected a lot of people,” said Ricardo Vega, Pike Township Fire Department deputy fire marshal .
Vega said he believes that arsonists set fire Feb. 19 to Nappy Cuts and D’Fine Style Beauty Bar in the shopping plaza.
“There was accelerates throughout. There was a distinct odor. We did bring in an accelerate-detection dog and we had multiple hits in both of those tenants spaces,” Vega said.
The fire marshal said the department is investigating the case as possible insurance fraud. Although the businesses have different owners, according to Vega, they are both insured by State Farm, which is also in the same plaza.
“Certain barber booths seemed to have a lot more accelerate than others. Those happen to be the barbers that had their booths privately insured,” Vega said.
Crews were back on the scene Tuesday trying to piece the case together. Investigators also have hung reward posters on the businesses.
Monica Slinger with Alo Property Management, which represents the owner of the plaza, said about the case, that she’s “surprised.”
“You never expect to be dealing with something like this. Unfortunate, because so many people are going to be paying for this in multiple ways,” Slinger said.
If it’s up to Slinger, she said, the arsonists will also pay.
“I just hope that anybody who has any information will come forward,” Slinger said.
There is no word on when the building will reopen.
Authorities have security video of the suspects, but do not want to release it for avoid compromising their investigation. Anyone with information was asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central at 317-262-8477.
