CORDELE, GA (WALB) -
A couple of Cordele businesses remain closed after police say a nail salon employee set it on fire.
42-year-old Kim Truong is charged with torching Creative Nails on 16th Avenue Monday morning and forcing several businesses to close.
"It was just awful. There was smoke just rolling out of the door. You couldn't even see the inside of the buildings glass because it was smoke filled," said EZ Title employee Teresa McGinnis.
On Tuesday, crime tape still remained at the shopping plaza and two businesses remain closed including Creative Nails Salon and a Subway. Cops tell us the restaurant had to throw out most of its food.
McGinnis showed us water and smoke damage at her business. They haven't been able to serve their customers since.
"We didn't open up until 2 o'clock on Monday and Mondays are my busiest days," said "Al".
Another business owner ("Al") who doesn't want to be identified says the fire is affecting his FedEx business also.
He describes Truong as an obnoxious person who was scary to be around at times.
"She was very loud and out spoken. She was very scary to be around. You don't want to be in front of her very long. You want her to be out of your business and she shipped stuff with me and done other business. She's just really loud and you are scared of what's she's going to do next," said "Al".
"If the businesses were open this would have been a disaster because this shopping center would have been gone," said McGinnis.
"That's very selfish. It's no respect for the people that's around," she continued.
Now business owners are left to clean up what investigators say Truong left behind.
Police don't have a motive in the case.
A car owned by the nail shop's owner was set on fire last week. Police are investigating whether Truong is connected to that crime.
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Teresa McGinnis
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