Restaurant owner accused of setting fire at rival eatery

Times Picayune ^ | October 21, 2009 | Mary Sparacello

[BBell]

A Kenner restaurant owner was caught on video setting fire to a competitor's restaurant one block away, police said Tuesday.

Mae Fong, 74, of 2225 Florida Ave. in Kenner, will be booked with arson of Young's Garden Chinese Restaurant at 2039 Williams Blvd.

Fong's Chinese & Cantonese Restaurant is at 2101 Williams Blvd., just across 21st Street from Young's.

Fong was caught on video surveillance approaching Young's on Oct. 2 after 3 a.m., about the time a liquid accelerant was used to start the fire, Police Chief Steve Caraway said.

The video was "extremely valuable" in solving the crime, Caraway said. "It's hard to refute that type of evidence."

Investigators were still working to determine what kind of accelerant was used to start the fire, Jefferson Parish arson investigator Todd Landry said.

Damage to Young's was estimated at $50,000 to $60,000.

"It's certainly very alarming," Caraway said. Young's is in a strip shopping center between a beauty supply store and a barroom, he said. Neither of those businesses was damaged.

Caraway didn't know Fong's motive.

Young's owner Julia Ieong was outside her restaurant Tuesday afternoon supervising the placement of a sign that advertised that her restaurant would reopen as soon as possible. She said the restaurant will reopen in about three or four weeks.

Surveillance video links woman to the Kenner blaze, police say

The fire started at the restaurant's front doors, and the smoke, fire and water damage required the front room to be gutted, she said.

She wouldn't comment on the video she provided to police or on her relationship with the Fongs.

"I'm just working hard, taking good care of business," she said. "I (don't) talk. I (don't) ask."

In her restaurant a block to the north, Fong's sister denied Fong's involvement.

[Neidermeyer]

For the most part OG and Red Lobster get their food prepared and ready to heat and serve from their foodservice supplier... The lasagna is microwaved and brought to your table .. no chefs at OG.

[murron]

I don’t care. I still like it.