Restaurateur Is Suspected of Arson

A Simi Valley restaurateur accused of setting his business on fire will be arraigned on charges of arson Friday in Ventura County Superior Court, authorities said.

Mumtaz Fazli, 45, is accused of setting his Kuehner Drive restaurant on fire June 27. Fazli suffered second- and third-degree burns over 25% of his body.

Fire officials would not say when Fazli became a suspect in the investigation. The fire caused $50,000 in damage to the restaurant. Fazli told investigators a man entered the Walck-In restaurant, doused Fazli with flammable liquids and set him on fire.

Fire investigators believe the liquid was gasoline. On Friday, fire and police investigators pulled Fazli over while he was driving on Erringer Road and arrested him on suspicion of setting the fire. Fazli posted bail Saturday morning, authorities said.

Fire investigators did not say whether they believe Fazli’s injuries were accidental. Fazli had been in treatment for burns to his chest, shoulders, face, arms and hands at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital for several weeks, said Sandy Wells, a spokeswoman for the Ventura County Fire Department. Fazli faces years of surgery and physical therapy, hospital officials said.

The community rallied around Fazli after the incident. A trust fund for the Fazli family was set up at First Western Bank by co-workers of Fazli’s wife, Deborah Fazli, an elementary school teacher. A fund-raiser for Fazli was held at Chuy’s Restaurant in Simi Valley in July.