Fire destroys 15-20 vehicles at RV dealership

SANTA FE SPRINGS — A spectacular blaze destroyed at least 15 to 20 RVs at a dealership in Santa Fe Springs early Thursday, and a suspect seen on security video on the property at the time the fire began was being sought, police said.

The fire was reported about 12:20 a.m. at Mike Thompson's RV Super Store, 13940 Firestone Blvd., according to the Whittier Police Department, which provides law enforcement services in that area of Santa Fe Springs.

Officers sent to the address on an alarm call saw smoke from the southwest corner of the property near railroad tracks and notified firefighters, police said.

Santa Fe Springs Fire Department crews were called to the dealership to battle the raging fire, which was contained to one part of the large property. The flames destroyed 15 to 20 RVs, each worth about $100,000, police said.

Security video showed a "suspect" described as a male walking between the RVs at the time the fire started, and authorities searched the area but did not find him, police said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation by police detectives and fire department arson investigators.