CHARLOTTE — A suspect is in custody after allegedly using a Molotov cocktail to set fire to a nightclub in west Charlotte early Friday morning.
Crews were dispatched at 5:22 a.m. to the 2700 block of Tuckaseegee Road and arrived within minutes to find heavy flames coming from the building. As conditions worsened, a second alarm was requested to bring in additional firefighters, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.
Downed power lines and small brush fires around the structure created extra hazards as crews worked to contain the blaze.
The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force eventually ruled the fire intentional and quickly identified James Thomas Johnson Jr. as the suspect in the incident.
According to the court records, Johnson used Molotov cocktails to ignite a fire at The Garden Bar and Lounge.
Johnson has been charged with malicious use of explosives to damage property and burning an unoccupied commercial structure.
The fire damaged areas near the front door, the parking lot, and the side patio, according to court documents.
Damage to the building and its contents is estimated at $90,000.
Police haven’t released any other details yet. We’re working on getting more information on a possible motive.
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