Suspect in custody for intentionally set fire in west Charlotte

A man was arrested after a two-alarm fire in west Charlotte was deemed intentionally set, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

Crews were dispatched around 5:20 a.m. Friday morning to the Garden Bar & Lounge on Tuckaseegee Road near State Street. Heavy fire was showing, and a second alarm was triggered at 5:28 a.m.

Firefighters controlled the blaze by 5:46 a.m. while working through downed power lines around the building and small brush fires nearby. No injuries were reported.

Investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set.

According to court documents, James Johnson Jr. threw a Molotov cocktail at the building, causing it to go up in flames. The fire caused damage near the front door, the parking lot, and the side patio.

Johnson has been charged with Malicious Use of Explosives to Damage Property and Burning an Unoccupied Commercial Structure.

Property damage is estimated at about $90,000.