Curiosity: they wanted to set fire to an immigrant assistance place, but they ended up setting themselves on fire

Two hooded men approached the door of an immigration assistance facility in Bakersfield, California in the southwestern United States in the middle of the night. They have taken all the necessary precautions to commit the crimeRun away and don’t get caught. But what would have been another act of xenophobia turned into an accident that almost cost them their lives: one of them started a fire at the wrong time and both ended up in flames.

The incident took place at 2500 Niles Street. “Immigration Service”, It is the legend that hangs from banners and posters. He is accompanied by other legends in Spanish for migrants arriving from Latin America. Is that in Bakersfield, among the 10 most populous cities in California, the Hispanic community represents more than half of its total population.

Shortly after midnight on January 2, two men approached the parking lot located at the entrance to the business. They carried two drums filled with combustible liquid which they scattered in that sector. They splashed all cornerseven the security cameras which – despite this circumstance – managed to record what happened: the crime and the blooper.

One of the hooded men bent down to light the fire, stepping directly on the liquid he’d spilled himself seconds earlier. The result was inevitable: a ball of fire further fueled by the drum that the unsuspecting man had set aside and which almost became a bomb.

The hot tongues also covered his accomplice, who vomited gasoline like holy water and couldn’t escape until it was too late. He skidded, fell and was caught on the ground by the flames. Then he got up and escaped with his accomplice, the one who had caused the accident that almost cost him his life. They failed in this too: they did not follow the “Stor, drop and roll” protocol, that is, throwing yourself on the ground and rolling to put out the fire.

“Dear customers, We started the year a bit badly. But with the grace of God we will continue. I inform you that due to this incident our office will be closed until further notice”, warned the locals, who have been offering translation services, citizenship procedures, permits and residences for three years.

The Kern County Fire Department was alerted to the fire and dispatched a dozen officers. The incident lasted only 10 minutes, even as black smoke billowed inside the building. “While at the scene, firefighters assisted the owner in moving the documents to a secure area elsewhere in the building,” they said.

“The video is dramatic, we hope these people are identified quickly,” said Department captain Andrew Freeborn.

Authorities have not yet found the suspects and have asked any witnesses to provide identifying information.

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