Police: Firebomb causes minor damage at Eastside business

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A small Jacksonville business was the target of an arson attempt Friday, police said.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the owner of the business on Phoneix Avenue, called Jandy Inc., discovered minor damage around 8 a.m. Friday and called authorities.

Jandy Inc. is listed as renting out cars and motorcycles. A News4Jax crew saw a bar and pool table inside the building. The owner declined to comment.

Police said it appeared an “incendiary device” had caused the damage but that no one was injured.

The firebomb appears to have been a Molotov cocktail, firefighters said. Investigators found a liquid accelerant and broken glass at the scene.

The windows of the cinder block building were boarded up and a locked gate and wooden fence surrounded the parking lot.

Firefighters could be seen inspecting the roof for damage Friday morning.

Police said they had no suspect information and asked anyone who might know something to contact JSO at 630-0500 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

JSO’s bomb squad, the state fire marshal and federal ATF agents are investigating.

News4Jax learned that in the past two years, JSO has been called to the location of the business more than half a dozen times for incidents regarding fights, noise and armed disputes.


About the Authors

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.

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