Sarasota, FL - An arsonist set to an LGBT Sarasota nightclub on fire around 9 a.m. Sunday, deputies said. Surveillance cameras captured the incident outside the Throb Nightclub, 2201 Industrial Blvd. Now authorities want help catching the criminal.
The suspect is seen in the video approaching the club, covering his face and holding a gas can. He then pours fuel all over the front of the building and throws a lit cigarette. But, it didn’t work. Footage shows he then tries again – and the fire ignites. After the blaze starts spreading, the arsonist is seen walking away.
Soon after, a passerby spotted the fire and called authorities. The nightclub’s sprinkler system suppressed the fire but there was extensive damage. “The fire directly melted one of the main water lines that come into the building, so that in turn, flooding the building out,” Throb Nightclub general manager Ronny Barnett said.
