A quiet night at Central Towing in West Portsmouth turned explosive just after 9 p.m., when an impounded vehicle burst into flames — and the owner of the business says it was no accident.
Listen to the actual 911 call
🔥 Fire on the Lot
When officers arrived, they found a vehicle fully engulfed on the tow lot.
According to the business owner, the car had been impounded after an OVI arrest, and the driver was not happy about it.
The owner told police they believe the vehicle’s original owner snuck onto the property, intentionally set the car on fire, and then vanished into the night.
🚒 Firefighters Knock It Down — Investigation Ignites
The fire department quickly extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other vehicles.
Once the flames were out, officers began treating the scene as a possible arson investigation.
Detectives are reviewing evidence and working to identify the suspect — though towing employees say they have a pretty good idea who did it.
🚓 Arson Is No Joke
Police remind the public:
🔥 Setting fire to property — impounded or not — is a felony
🚫 Going onto a secured tow lot is trespassing
👮 And fleeing after the fire doesn’t erase the crime
