'An arsonist tried to steal my dream'; fire heavily damages beloved Vallejo gourmet market

VALLEJO (CBS SF/BCN) -- A beloved gourmet grocery store was heavily damaged in a suspected arson fire early Tuesday morning in downtown Vallejo with the suspected arsonist captured on security video.

Firefighters responded shortly before 3:30 a.m. to Anchor Pantry in the 600 block of Marin Street and arrived to find flames billowing out of the storefront.   

Fire officials said a quick offensive fire attack was initiated and the blaze was brought under control, but not before the front of the store was heavily damaged.

Security camera footage clearly showed a man crouched down in front of the store, starting the fire, and walking away. Vallejo police arrested Xavier Williams, 32, of Vallejo, on felony warrant and arson charges. He was booked into the Solano County Jail.

"[Williams] was picked up within two blocks of the fire's location, moments after the fire was called in," said Vallejo Fire spokesman Kevin Brown. "That's one individual, a potential danger to our community, that is off the streets."

After the fire was put out, a pile of burned debris was piled in front of the building which had its windows broken out. The heavy smoke damage throughout the store will require extensive cleanup and remodeling.

Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the blaze.

Anchor Pantry owner Jessica Brooks wrote on her Instagram page: "Anchor Pantry 2.0 coming ASAP. An Arsonist tried to steal my dream last night, he was caught and arrested. A little comfort but it won't bring the store back."

No other information regarding the suspected arsonist or a motive has been released.

Karen Finlay, owner of the nearby Alibi Bookshop, created a GoFundMe account saying they "have been invaluable members of our downtown community, bringing good food and goodwill to our town. To lose them is unthinkable.

"So, we sprung into action - because that's what we do. We started a GoFundMe for her, and we're in the process of starting one for Stephanie over at the Joint who was also red-tagged," said Finlay. "The community has really stepped up and is supporting them - and it's been, it's been incredible to watch."   

"It was someone that was an experienced arsonist. They had a bottle of gas, they had a blanket that they used as a wick. Like, they knew exactly what they were doing," Brooks said. "Just, sadness, and I was just stunned. I couldn't believe that it was happening."

"It's just really amazing how people have come out for me. It makes me feel really special, but, at the same time, bummed at what happened," Brooks added. "My dream won't die that easily. I'll definitely come back and build it better than it was before."