LITTLE HAVANA. Fla. – Miami police are investigating an intentionally set dumpster fire in Little Havana that they said caused power outages and disrupted local businesses during the busy holiday season.
Surveillance video obtained by Local 10 News Wednesday captured a man rummaging through a dumpster in a parking lot before flames erupted.
Cellphone video later showed the dumpster engulfed in fire as Miami firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
The fire, which was reported around 6 a.m. Tuesday near the 5200 block of Northwest 181st Terrace, knocked out electricity to nearby businesses, including Priscilla’s Beauty, according to investigators.
Owner Belkis Peguero said her salon has been unable to operate all day.
“This is the busiest time of the year for us,” Peguero’s mother said, adding that the outage has significantly impacted the family business.
Police have classified the incident as arson and are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami police or call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Peguero told Local 10 News that the FBI is assisting in efforts to restore power to affected areas.