Police Release Image of “Person of Interest” in Feibush Arson

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Police Department.

With hope that the public may be able to assist in their ongoing investigation, police have released a grainy surveillance image of an unidentified man considered a person of interest in the May 1st arson in Point Breeze that gutted four partially built townhomes owned by developer Ori Feibush.

At approximately 4:15 a.m., officers from the 17th District responded to reports of a fire at 1308 South 20th Street, which had spread to 1316 South 20th Street by the time police arrived to the scene.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames after the blaze went to a second alarm, but the townhomes were ultimately destroyed. All of the properties were under construction and unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Photo | Sandy Smith

Police are reporting that workers were last in the properties on April 28th.

Surveillance video recovered from the scene initially shows an unknown white male with a thin build wearing a hooded sweatshirt in the area before the fire occurs. The man returns a short time later without the sweatshirt – this time wearing a T-shirt, distinctive shoes and a reflective backpack.

Police are seeking to question the man about the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ Philadelphia division, which is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Feibush wrote in a Facebook post dated May 2nd that he believes the arson wasn’t an isolated incident.

https://www.facebook.com/ori.feibush/posts/10105162516911603

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