Surveillance video shows man setting fire to Houston bar

HOUSTON — Galleria business owners are hoping Houston police can identify a man caught on camera trying to set fire to their hookah bar. Surveillance video captured much of the incident around the Uptown Lounge on Richmond Ave. near Chimney Rock.

“I don’t really see anything that would cause anyone to be anxious,” one owner told us. For their safety, the owners asked that we not use their names.

They called the Houston Police Department to file a report after an employee noticed burn marks on the side of the building.

“It’s shocking. We try to be nice to everyone and not get in trouble. Now someone is trying to do this and steal our livelihood, it’s crazy.”

The owners say that before 6 a.m. Saturday, a man is seen on surveillance video throwing a gas can and jumping over the fence of a neighboring business. He ran across the parking lot and poured what appeared to be gasoline around the building. The owners said the man also poured the liquid near a fire escape with propane tanks nearby.

“He poured more out there, you can probably still smell it. He went around, his intention is obviously to burn it all down. We’ve never had any bad business with anybody, for somebody to come in here and do this. It’s shocking.”

The man, who appeared to be wearing a cut-off blue hoodie and shorts, walked behind the living room and then fled when the fire broke out.

The parking lot was burned but the building was not seriously damaged.

“Please don’t burn my building, let’s not ruin people’s lives here, there are other things to do,” the owner said. “I just want to know why.”

The case was referred to the Houston Fire Department’s Arson Division.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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