The suspect is described as a male in his late teens or early 20s, 5'10 with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and red shorts.
"The person matching that description was seen earlier riding a bicycle in the area. So we think he's local, but we just don't know," Lt. Robert Gray of the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said.
Authorities say the arsonist broke in through a backdoor at the firehouse and used matches to set the fire.
Three hours after the blaze at the firehouse, another fire was reported in the township's Bargaintown section. That's where someone intentionally set fire to a 25 foot boat belonging to the Champion family.
"Why go and set a fire? I don't know what people get out of that. It's scary," victim Karen Champion said.
"It's unusual to have two arson fires in one night. It's not a close proximity; it's two different sides of town. We don't know how or whether the two are related," Gray said.
While detectives work the two cases, people at the LB One restaurant next door to the Cardiff Firehouse wonder why anyone would intentionally set that place on fire.
"People that want to destroy property and they are people that are saving our lives," bartender Keith Richard said.
"Who would have something against someone like these wonderful guys who take care of our whole township?" chef Michael Petruzzi said.
Police are eager to capture the person or persons responsible for these arson and are asking anyone with tips or information to contact them immediately.
