PACIFIC, Wash. -- Firefighters say an arsonist struck a small family business in Pacific. Four semi trucks at Oscar's Trucking Company were charred, some burned down to their metal frames.
Oscar Hernandez has owned the truck and heavy equipment company for 16 years. Early Sunday morning a police call brought Oscar and his wife Luz to the burned semis.
Detectives say an arsonist set the fire. But the Hernandezs spent a Sunday they'd normally be in church still giving thanks.
"I just hope they catch whoever did this," said Luz.
Out of the ashes of arson, Luz Hernandez believes heroes have risen.
"You know, I want to say, I'm so proud to be here in this city," she said.
Four charred trucks and about $60,000 in damage, but Luz believes without firefighters, police and her neighbor across the street, the toll would be much worse.
"I just heard this big boom, and it was like jump out of bed and what was that, and Shawn said he heard a car peel out," said neighbor Jeri Navarrete. "I threw on our robes and came to the door and saw the flames across the street, and I told Shawn to call 911."
Driving by and catching it all in this cell phone video minutes later was Rick Slaughter.
"The flames were like 40 feet high in the air, and I've never seen anything like that, so I figured I might take a video," said witness Slaughter.
These are more than just trucks in the slumping blackened ruins. A driver's seat is an office chair for an independent truck owner. The remains of the wheels are what's left of their ability to make money.
"It's devastating for the business owner, for the owners of these trucks. You know this is someone's livelihood, this is someone's office," said Tim Daly, Battallion Chief, Valley Regional Fire Authority.
But the fire spread Luz's world beyond the family office to include a family right across the street.
"We'll be praying for you honey," said Jeri as she hugged Luz.
The case is still under investigation by arson investigators. The business owners also say they're thankful no one was injured and that they're are insured.
