Crime & Safety

Video and Photo Released in CVS Arson Fire

Pharmacy fire hospitalized one employee.

Police have released a photo and videos of an arson suspect believed responsible for September's fire at the CVS at

The fire in the greeting card aisle on Sept. 15 sent one employee of the store to the hospital in respiratory distress. 

The blaze was set by a white male about 5-feet-9 inches tall who ignited a greeting card display inside the pharmacy using gasoline and an open flame, police said. 

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The store was crowded with 30 people inside as employees quickly put out the fire.

The suspect is seen from behind in a video walking quickly up an aisle when smoke quickly begins to billow out.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An employee is seen running away from the area where the fire was set.

The suspect was also caught on camera leaving the store. He fled east on Veterans Boulevard to Ocean Avenue.

The fire was declared an arson.

Anyone with information on the blaze is urged to call 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.