UPDATE: Detectives shared surveillance video October 1 in hopes of identifying the suspect in the September 20 arson at a Springfield shopping center.
Police ask you to call (541) 726-3721 if you recognize the man or have any information about the arson.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Police are investigating a fire at a shopping center early Monday morning as arson.
Springfield Police responded at 12:05 a.m. to a fire at the Day Spa at 663 West Centennial to assist Eugene Springfield Fire with an arson investigation.
"When the officer arrived, the person who called in the fire was still there. The caller said he was working on a washing machine in the laundromat when he smelled smoke. He went outside and saw the sidewalk in front of the Day Spa was on fire," according to police. "He witnessed the fire, which he was sure was started with something very flammable, but not the start of it. The witness also said that he didn’t see anyone else around when he came outside."
The witness grabbed some water and was able to put out the fire that was on the concrete, but he then felt intense heat coming from the wall and the fire began spreading. That’s when he called 911.
The officer did see a man and two women in the area, but they fled prior to him being able to question them.
The fire did an estimated $10,000 in damage. The investigation has now been assigned to a Springfield detective.
Police said detectives are looking for surveillance video and trying to establish leads in the case. If you can help, police ask you to call (541) 726-3721.