Investigators from the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) are on the lookout for a man accused of deliberately setting fire to a bathroom at Rippy's Honky Tonk, a popular bar located on Broadway. The incident, which unfolded around 5 p.m. on Sunday, was caught on the bar's surveillance, showing the suspect entering and leaving the restroom just before smoke emanated from the space, as WSMV reported.
Employees were quick on their feet, dousing the flames with a fire extinguisher before any significant damage or injuries occurred; the NFD later determined the motive behind the fire involved the ignition of a toilet paper dispenser, as noted in the coverage by WKRN. Images from the scene have been released to the public, which display a bearded man donned in a beanie and a dark blue t-shirt, who is now the primary suspect in what's being described as a dangerous act of arson.
With the search underway, the NFD has made a public appeal for assistance in identifying the suspect, as reported by NewsChannel 5. The Nashville Fire Department Arson Hotline, at 615-862-5640, and Tennessee Arson Hotline, at 1-800-762-3017, are both ready to receive tips, ensuring anonymity for those who come forward.
As per WKRN, NFD has announced that cash rewards up to $5,000 are available for tips leading to an arrest or conviction in this case of intentional fire-setting.
