Arson Suspected For Norman Food Pantry Fire

Norman's fire marshal is investigating suspected arson of a community food pantry that was set on fire on Tuesday night near Porter Avenue and Eufaula Street.

Security camera video provided by the pantry's host business, Yellow Dog Coffee, showed a man apparently setting fire to the pantry and watching as the flames grew.

The pantry, a shelf about the size of a vending machine, was almost completely burned.

Co-owner Sereta Wilson said it was entirely luck that her husband happened to notice the fire so quickly and extinguished it, despite having back surgery the day before.

“I mean even while we were fighting fire last night, talking to firefighters, there were people coming up on bicycles, cars, walking, wanting water or whatever we might have," Wilson said.

Ward 4 City Council Member Helen Grant volunteers with the pantry. They said plans are already in the works to replace the pantry.

"Our contractor has offered his labor and materials at no charge to us," Grant said.

Currently, investigators are working to identify the man seen in the security footage. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call the fire marshal at (405) 307-7101.