Man charged with burning down restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of two men involved in an arson attack that destroyed a Kansas City, Missouri, restaurant told police he doesn’t remember much about the night of the fire because of his drug use.

George J. Daniels, 53, of Kansas City, Missouri, is charged in Jackson County Court with second-degree arson, according to a court document.

The fire occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on July 8 at Haha’s Kebabs and Shawarma, located at 204 W. 39th Street.

Surveillance video revealed that a man accompanied by Daniels threw a large rock through one of the restaurant’s windows, according to a court document.

Surveillance video shows suspects starting fire at Kansas City business

The video shows Daniels throwing a red gasoline can through the broken window.

The two men repeatedly tried to start a fire in the restaurant by throwing burning objects into the building.

During one of his attempts, the second suspect managed to start a large fire inside the restaurant, the court document states.

Police interviewed Daniels on Aug. 26, and he told them he didn’t remember much about the night because he had been smoking “wet cigarettes,” according to the court document.

Smoking “wet cigarettes” can cause euphoria, delusions and hallucinations.

It is currently unclear whether the second suspect has been arrested or charged.

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