FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – A man was captured on surveillance camera setting fire to an outdoor umbrella at Sliders Seaside Grill in Fernandina Beach, police said.
The Fernandina Beach Police Department released a portion of the video that shows the man using what appears to be a lighter to ignite an umbrella that is part of a patio set at the popular Fletcher Avenue restaurant.
“We are requesting the public’s help with identifying this arson suspect. He is a middle-aged white male with a tattoo on the side of his calf. We believe that he resides in the area of First Avenue,” police said in a post on Facebook.
A witness messaged News4JAX that a crime scene unit could be seen at the restaurant, and that the entire outdoor area was surrounded by crime scene tape.
Mitchell Aarons, a manager, said his bosses were there all night working on the aftermath of the fire.
Aarons said the suspect broke in through the back door and reached for a bottle of alcohol behind the counter before going back through the kitchen and setting things on fire.
Charred walls, melted bottles of alcohol, and a busted door frame can be seen.
The suspect came to the back outside where he set a table umbrella on fire, which left melted plastic on the table.
Aarons said they had to shut down breakfast, but they were able to reopen at 11 a.m.
“We have so many regulars, and so many guests, and we’re knee deep in tourist season right now,” Aarons said. “We employ over 50 employees, and it’s just the fact that we’re very grateful that we can still have them come in, and we can still all work.”
A Nassau County resident said she didn’t recognize the man in the video. She said it’s sad that someone would want to set fires to the building, a place she and her daughter have come to often since moving to the area.
“It’s one of the only restaurants we have that is right on the beach, and you’re able to bring your family friends, you can even bring your dog out here,” Christina said. “To me, it’s like a family restaurant.”
And she hopes something like that never happens here again, and the person responsible gets caught.
The Florida Highway Patrol listed a structure fire at the address of Sliders as being under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.
The Fernandina Beach Fire and Rescue Chief said that the fire was contained to the area where it started.
Anyone who can help identify the man in the video is asked to contact the Fernandina Beach Police Department at 904-277-7342 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.
