Car Torched In Front Of Miami Home

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - An arson investigation is underway in Miami after was car was torched in the middle of the night.

It happened around 3 a.m. outside a home at 2475 NW 35th street.

In surveillance video, you can see a man walk up to a car. Moments later the car erupts in a ball of fire. The man's clothing also caught fire as he ran away.

Miami firefighters arrived and put out of the flames. Another vehicle nearby was also damage

A boy who lives in the home said the cars belong to his mother. He said they woke to the sound of explosions.

"My mom woke up and she was like everybody go to the back because something is on fire. We heard a big boom inside the house and then we just all ran," said Cesar Silva. "My mom thought it was shooting."

"I was asleep and I heard somebody say get up, the truck is on fire. So everybody got up and went to my room. I looked outside and it was a big flame," said Cesar's sister Isabel.

On the video, the man appears to take off his jacket, which is in flames, as he runs off.

"He walked this way and he basically walked to the truck. I think he broke the glass and poured all the gasoline and put the car on fire and put himself on fire," said Isabel.

Police believe there may have been another motive to the man's actions.

"It looks like the car thief attempted to break into the vehicle and steal what looks like an airbag," said spokeswoman Kenia Fallat.

While that is not confirmed, they are concerned.

"This man not only broke into this car but he is an arsonist. Obviously no one was hurt but this could have been very dangerous and Miami Fire did a remarkable job of putting this out," said Fallat. "There's a lot of things we don't know at this point so we are urging anyone who saw anything around this vehicle to please call us."

Police are going over the evidence left behind and suspect the man may have been burned.

"This person who set fire to this car may have flammable liquid on him as well," said Fallat.

The Silva's said they have no idea why they would be targeted and they did not recognize the person on the surveillance video.