EDMONDS – A hair salon that was set on fire Wednesday night with the owner trapped inside was the target of theft and vandalism in recent weeks.
Two weeks before the fire, someone left unlit Molotov cocktails inside the business, investigators said Thursday.
“We’re concerned the attempts are getting more serious,” Edmonds Fire Marshal John Westfall said.
Police said when the fire was set, someone barred the front door of Hair Cutters Plus using a ski pole pushed through the door handle. The salon owner, a 43-year-old man, was inside doing maintenance.
“We can’t speculate if (the suspect) was trying to keep someone inside,” Sgt. Debbie Smith said, adding that a window in the building was open.
An officer discovered the fire about 8:20 p.m. while patrolling Firdale Village, in the 9600 block of Firdale Avenue. He noticed the ski pole, the open window and a ring of keys in the front door lock, Smith said.
As the officer approached the building, he saw a bright flash inside the front door. He called an emergency dispatcher to report the fire. The operator told the officer the owner was calling from inside the business.
Officers were unable to reach the man because of the smoke. He was rescued by firefighters, treated for smoke inhalation and released from the hospital a couple of hours later, Westfall said.
The salon owner declined to speak to The Herald on Thursday.
Investigators found accelerant and a couple of separate ignition points inside the business, Westfall said. A threat had been spray-painted on the owner’s truck.
Police are investigating if the arson is related to other problems at the business in recent weeks.
The owner reported Dec. 18 that a teenager pulled a knife on him during an attempted robbery. The suspect, described as white male 16 to 19 years old, asked to use the restroom. When he came out, he pulled out a knife and demanded money.
The owner broke off the handle of a broom and chased the teen away.
Less than a week later, someone burglarized the business, stealing beer and costume jewelry. Also, someone broke into the business Dec. 30. Bottles of gasoline with rags stuffed inside were left behind.
Whoever broke in also left a threatening message on a mirror, said David Keys, a Firdale Village business owner. “They wrote ‘Deal with this,’ and signed it ‘Torch man,’ ” he said.
No one has been arrested in those incidents.
Keys, who has known the salon owner for 16 years, was stunned that his friend had been targeted. “Was this vengeance? Was he targeted for saying no?” Keys asked.
Other business owners in the village were concerned Thursday that the arsonist would return.
“It really could have gotten carried away. Someone could have died. I hope there is a quick resolution,” merchant Dick Nelson said.
The fire caused about $9,500 in damage to the salon. The owner and other hairstylists who rent space from him were unable to work on Thursday.
That kind of damage is a hard blow to a small business owner, Keys said.
“He’s a good, hard-working man. You don’t have a business in Edmonds for 20 years if you’re a jerk,” he said.
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