Man is caught on CCTV ‘attempting to burn down’ luxurious store in London
This is the shocking moment a man is caught on camera ‘trying to burn down’ a luxury womenswear shop in London.
The owner of OddMuse, an independent store based in Covent Garden, claims that her business would have suffered massive losses had the blaze spread.
The bizarre attack occurred in the early hours of the morning on June 11. It was caught on CCTV, which the owner of the store, Aimee Smale, proceeded to post on TikTok.
In the video, which has since gained over 115,000 likes on TikTok, a unidentified man can be seen walking up to a pile of bin bags outside OddMuse.
He then pulls out what appears to be a lighter and sets fire to the bin bags and then walks aways.
The bizarre attack occurred in the early hours of the morning on June 11. It was caught on CCTV, which the owner of the store, Aimee Smale, proceeded to post on TikTok
The fire continues to burn and get bigger until a few minutes later police officers can be seen hurrying towards the blaze armed with water and a fire extinguisher ready to stamp out the flames
The fire continues to burn and get bigger until a few minutes later police officers can be seen hurrying towards the blaze armed with water and a fire extinguisher ready to stamp out the flames.
Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Smale revealed that other businesses in the area have also been hit by supposed random attacks of arson.
She said: ‘We got told by the police the next day. Half an hour into opening they said ‘we had to put out a fire at the front of the store last night please check your CCTV for damage’.’
‘It’s quite common actually in Covent Garden, but it was lucky for me that the police were patrolling.’
Speaking about the video, Ms Smale said: ‘I don’t really know what to make of the CCTV, the guy seemed drunk because he was swaying a little bit.
‘It took him a solid five minutes to catch a light on the bin and it seemed like he wasn’t giving up and he really wanted to cause some damage.’
Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Smale ‘We got told by the police the next day. Half an hour into opening they said “we had to put out a fire at the front of the store last night please check your CCTV for damage”‘
OddMuse is an independent womenswear brand which sells dresses dresses and other items that can sell for as much as £145.
Ms Smale started the business in the summer of 2020 and admits the blaze could have been devastating for the company.
She said: ‘We’re an independent brand and that would have been detrimental if the worst happened. It could have created enough damage to shut us for a week or two.
‘We’re not on a huge company, and that would have been a massive loss if we were to incur so much damage.
‘It’s not a nice sort of like feeling, that your little London store you’ve worked so hard for isn’t safe at night.’
MailOnline, have approached the the Metropolitan Police for a comment.
