VIDEO: Police Seek Help Identifying Man Who Lit Fire in Corona Law Office

Corona police Wednesday released video surveillance footage of an arsonist who set a law office ablaze, hoping someone might have information that leads to the man's identification.

"He's hiding his identity pretty well, but we think there's enough that a witness might know who he is," Corona police Detective John Healy told City News Service.

The May 17 blaze was set around 1:50 a.m. at a 10-attorney law practice at 1897 California Ave., Healy said.

The business was equipped with four security surveillance cameras, two of which captured a large part of what transpired that morning, he said.

The tape shows the suspect jumping out of a car and running toward the front entrance of the office, where he tossed what appeared to be a container of accelerant through a window. He then forced his way into the locked building and immediately lit a fire.

"It blew up on him pretty quickly," Healy said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he received a flash burn on his face or hands."

The suspect fled the property within a minute, getting into a white sedan that sped away. Healy said it appeared someone else was driving the car.

Fire crews arrived around 10 minutes later and were able to contain the fire to the front lobby of the law office, according to the detective.

The damage was estimated to be close to $100,000. Some of the offices are still being used, however.

"It's speculation at this point as to what the motive might have been," Healy said. "It's mostly divorce attorneys in there. Maybe somebody was unhappy with one of them?"

The suspect was wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and had his mouth covered with a scarf. He also had on blue jeans and white sneakers.

Anyone with information was urged to call the Corona Police Department at (951) 736-2330.

— City News Service.