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Fire At Compton Strip Mall Believed To Be Started With Molotov Cocktail

COMPTON (CBSLA) — Investigators confirmed a fire that tore through a Compton strip mall early Wednesday morning was purposely set with a Molotov cocktail.

A fire broke out at the strip mall along Alondra Boulevard, between Atlantic and the 710 Freeway, at about 4 a.m. Wednesday, destroying a laundromat and damaging a number of neighboring businesses.

A worker at a bakery in the same strip mall ran out and saw the flames, taking a picture of the fire as it was burning. The photo shows the flames and smoke pouring out of one unit.

The laundromat was left a charred shell, with scorched dryers and folding tables visible from the street.

One witness, who asked not to be identified, said he saw four men throw a Molotov cocktail into the laundromat, then take off in a car, laughing.

Alondra was shut down as firefighters mopped up after the fire.

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