A fire that burned three cars at an auto body shop in South Los Angeles early Tuesday is being investigated as arson because of an apparent threat painted on the business, authorities said.
Los Angeles firefighters responded to the fire at around 2:30 a.m. in the 3500 block of South Crenshaw Boulevard, near a building that houses a number of auto-related businesses, including Richard's Auto Repair.
The fire destroyed three cars and damaged two others, said Capt. Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Police Department. Some 20 others parked in the same area were spared.
"I will kill your family" was painted on the bay door of one business. The name "Richard" was painted on another door.
"I don't know why this happened," said Carlos Velasquez, manager of Richard's Auto Repair. "You know, we are people that we work together every day. We are like family all around with these people. We never have a problem."
Scott confirmed the two doors were part of a building Richard owns, and said Richard is "unaware of anybody who would have written such a thing on the wall."
Because of the writing on the door, the fire was declared suspicious and is being investigated as arson, said Lance McCloskey of the LAFD.
