Suspect search underway after attempted firebombing in South Philadelphia
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police in South Philadelphia are looking for the person who tried to firebomb a home. And based on the evidence found on the street, they say the attack was intended to be a whole lot worse.
Detectives, along with members of the Arson and Explosives Taskforce, responded to the 2200 block of South Beechwood Street Tuesday, collecting evidence and bringing in specially trained dogs after police say someone threw a Molotov cocktail at the home around 5:30 a.m., breaking a window.
Luckily, the explosive didn't make it inside the home.
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A neighbor tells us, "I jumped up and I heard something go 'BOOM.' When I looked out the window the pavement was on fire."
That neighbor, who didn't want to be identified, says she also saw a man watching the flames.
She says, "There was just a man standing there just looking a little off. But he never moved. He never tried to help or anything."
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Police say the man then walked north on Beechwood and possibly eastbound on Jackson.
A bomb squad found a second Molotov cocktail nearby. Police are still investigating a motive.
Philadelphia Police Lt. John Stanford explains, "Certainly, keep your eyes and ears open. We don't know if this house is a target for some reason. So, we encourage neighbors, if you see someone hanging around that area, call 911."
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Neighbors say the family has lived in the house for about a year and keeps to themselves.
Rilus Craig live in the neighborhood, and tells us, "When I came down here I saw that it was my neighbors. And they're some good people over there. So I couldn't understand why something like that would happen."
If you have any information, contact Philadelphia police.
