A fire that torched several cars at a Portland automotive business is under investigation as arson. Portland police arrested suspect Dustin Hall and charged him with arson, assault and criminal mischief.
The fire, which broke out at Sharp Automotive before 9:30 Tuesday night, torched several cars, two of which belonged to car dealer Chris Culver.
"It's tough to envision what this car looked like before it looked like this," he said surveying the damage. "This is just unrecognizable."
The owner of the business, Jason Sharp, says at least three cars were damaged in the arson. He spent much of Wednesday talking to investigators and his insurance company.
"It's a small business," said his customer, Chris Culver. "I'm a small business, and it's difficult, especially in this economy. It's not something you can just brush off."
The car most damaged, a Volvo V50, was about to be sold.
"It puts me back to square one," said Culver. "I don't know who does this kind of thing."
Portland police have not commented on whether the fire may be linked to vandalism at the same business earlier in the week. A spokesman also couldn't comment on why the man arrested was charged with assault in addition to arson.
Hall is due in court Thursday.
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