SUNNYVALE (BCN) -- Investigators in Sunnyvale are releasing video images of a man  suspected of starting a fire behind a strip mall early Monday.

Police and firefighters were dispatched to 1129 N. Lawrence  Expressway at about 3 a.m. Monday in response to a report of a fire burning  behind a building at a shopping center there.

The flames were quickly extinguished, and only the exterior of the  building was damaged, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety officials said.

Investigators deemed the fire "suspicious" based on evidence found  at the scene and surveillance footage obtained later, which showed a man  carrying what could be a gasoline container, investigators said.

The suspect is described as a man in his late 40s with a heavy  build. He was wearing dark blue or purple pants, a purple long-sleeve shirt,  a white belt and white boots.

The suspect's vehicle was described as a white, late 1990s or  early 2000s conversion van with tan or yellow stripes.

Anyone with information on the fire or who recognizes the man in  the photos is asked to contact Sunnyvale public safety investigators at (408)  730-7216. Anonymous tips can be sent via text or email to SVTIPtipnow.org
     
(Copyright 2009, Bay City News, All rights reserved.)