Authorities Determining Whether Someone Set Man On Fire

INDIANAPOLIS -- A restaurant co-owner who was seriously injured in a blaze at the business Monday night told investigators at least one man set him on fire.

Video

Victim's Family Noticed Strange Behavior

Abdullah Naderi, 37, suffered second- and third-degree burns on 60 percent of his body and was listed in critical condition Tuesday at Wishard Memorial Hospital.

The fire at the Eastern Kitchen Buffet, located in a strip mall at 6815 South Emerson Ave., happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday, the Franklin Township Fire Department said.

Naderi told authorities that at least one man entered his establishment, doused him with a liquid and set him on fire, RTV6's Julie Pursley reported.

Police said they were called to the restaurant after a man and his son noticed an orange glow coming from the restaurant.

The restaurant was damaged in the fire, but information on the extent of damage was not immediately available.

Franklin Township Fire Department Chief Paul Bailey told reporters that investigators needed to talk again with Naderi, who was sedated for part of Tuesday.

"We've not been able to pin down exactly where this all occurred," Bailey said. "Based on his preliminary statement, the scene is not matching with (the statement), so we're concerned as whether or not it occurred someplace else in the facility, if that's what transpired.

"We just really need to talk to the victim to be able to tell more."

Authorities said Tuesday afternoon they had no suspects.

Investigators have sent evidence to a crime lab. Tests could take several weeks.

Naderi's family told police that since the U.S. war on Iraq began, they've noticed people entering the store, staring, and then leaving. The family is from Afghanistan, Pursley reported.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the fire as an arson case. Anyone with information about the case can call the department.