Video shows Brooklyn suspect sought in alleged arson at Strictly Vegetarian restaurant

FLATBUSH (WABC) -- Police are searching for a man who allegedly set a restaurant on fire in Brooklyn, and they are hoping that surveillance video will lead to an arrest.

The alleged arson occurred just after 3 a.m. on July 23 at the Strictly Vegetarian Restaurant on Church Avenue in Flatbush.

Authorities say the suspect approached the location and intentionally started a fire, causing damage to the exterior and interior of the building.

Eyewitness Collin Johnson couldn't believe what was going down right in front of him, a building quickly going up in flames.

The 18-year-old works for a private sanitation company and was making a pickup near the building when he spotted the suspect and the fire, and he pulled out his cell phone to record video obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News.

The suspect appears to toss some kind of incendiary device at the front left corner of the restaurant before slowly walking away.

There was so much damage inside the restaurant that it's been shut down every since.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that one theory detectives are looking into is a possible landlord-tenant dispute. The top floors above the restaurant are vacant, while two other businesses are shut down and the owners of a third fear they could be next. The sources say the restaurant and building owner have been butting heads and that the case ended up in court, with the restaurant allowed to stay, until the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).