South Collinwood auto body shop blaze declared arson, fire officials say

An early morning fire at an auto body shop in South Collinwood, Cleveland, has been confirmed as arson, according to fire officials. The incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Friday at the shop located at 16720 Westfield Ave.

Firefighters arrived on the scene to find the one-story building fully engulfed in flames, with two cars outside also catching fire. Tragically, the roof of the building collapsed during the blaze, while additional vehicles inside were being serviced. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.

Investigators noted evidence suggesting the use of an accelerant, likely gasoline, which was found on the exterior of the building. Fire Lt. Michael Norman stated that the signs indicated a deliberate act of arson.

Witnesses reported seeing a car drive up to the shop just before the fire ignited, raising suspicions about the timing of the events. The fire crews remained on-site for approximately six and a half hours to manage the flames and assess the damage.

The estimated cost of damage from the fire has been placed at around $70,000, highlighting the significant impact of this deliberate act on the local business and community.