Business Vandalized, Hit By Arson

Two months ago, burglars ransacked, flooded and vandalized Hassan Mallah’s business.

Now, Valley Fire District investigators say, an arsonist has tried to burn it down.

Mallah, the owner of Spokane Office Concepts, 10311 E. Montgomery, lost $120,000 in merchandise, office equipment and personal property during the September burglary. The thieves left faucets running and cleaned out Hallah’s office, taking numerous collectibles, including several swords.

The Valley man has since scoured area pawn shops, trying without success to find his lost possessions.

Saturday night’s fire caused an additional $100,000 in damage and loss to the office equipment business, Deputy Fire Marshal Eric Olson estimated.

“It was definitely an arson fire,” said Olson, who found flammable liquid spread throughout the business’ shop area Saturday night.

The arsonist started the fire in the shop, where copy machines, fax machines and other office equipment is repaired, Olson said.

The whole building suffered smoke damage, but a monitored alarm system caught the fire early and firefighters were able to stop the flames before they spread to Mallah’s showroom.

The fire was a second hard blow to the Valley businessman, who reopened Monday, despite the damage.

“I’m in a state of shock,” said Mallah, who has owned Spokane Office Concepts for five years. “It looks like my business has been targeted.”

Fortunately, Mallah said, he is insured.

Fire and police officials don’t know if the two incidents are related. No arrests have been made in the September burglary. Fire officials continue to investigate the Saturday night incident.

Mallah hopes someone will come forward with useful information.

“I just want these cowards to be found,” he said.

, DataTimes