State Rep's Office Firebombed in W. Phila.

September 14, 2007 (WPVI) -- State Representative Thomas Blackwell is speaking out after becoming the victim of a firebombing at his Philadelphia office!

Investigators say, around 4:15 this morning at the three-story office and apartment building at 52nd and Arch Streets.

Someone broke a window at the office, poured a flammable liquid inside and set it on fire. State representative Thomas Blackwell says if someone's trying to send him a message, bring it on.

Blackwell says he moved his office to this neighborhood to bring the fight to the front lines. Residents of this area have been fighting a losing battle against a tidal wave of crime.

Recently Blackwell launched a crusade against a couple of nuisance bars alleged hot beds of drug dealing and under aged drinking. Could this be retaliation or a warning? "I wouldn't be surprised," said Blackwell. "I got the message, now look at my answer."

Blackwell says he will stay and fight. Residents who have been in this battle for years say it has to stop.

The police found a gasoline can half a block away and will be running tests to see if it was used in the fire bombing. It may have the finger print of whoever committed the crime. They are looking into the allegations of retaliation, but say at this point the investigation is wide open.

Representative Blackwell says this firebombing wont scare away anyone - it only strengthens his resolve. Blackwell told Action News, "If they attacked me, what are they going to do to the average citizen? We're going to have an answer for it."

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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