Cars lit on fire outside South City mechanic shop

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Police are investigating the burning of four cars outside a Tower Grove East auto shop.

The incident happened Sunday night at a lot belonging to Bing and Nagel Auto, a business that’s been in the neighborhood since the 1940s.

Tim Bade, whose family took over the business in the 1970s, said a neighbor had called him just before midnight to tell him the cars were burning.

Bade said that when he rushed to the shop, firefighters were still working to extinguish the flames. He said an accelerant had been used to start the fire.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said its preliminary investigation suggested that it had been intentionally set, though officers said it was too early to know whether it would be referred to the department’s bomb and arson unit.

“The purpose of what they did, I have no idea. I can’t speculate as to who or why,” Bade said.

Several neighbors took video of the incident. Jessica Shields, who lives down the block from the auto shop, said she had heard several explosive pops before stepping outside to see the flames.

“It was really shocking. Not just one car with a mechanical issue,” Shields said.

Another neighbor, Ofi Alphonso, said she had seen a figure walking near the cars carrying what looked like gasoline before the fire began. She called 911 immediately.

“I hope they catch the guy because that’s crazy,” she said.

Bade said that Bing and Nagels had opened Monday morning as usual and would continue normal business hours, despite the incident.

“It’s just another daily choice to get out and do what I do because I love what I do,” he said.

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