CARMICHAEL (CBS13) – Authorities are searching for an arsonist after a fire ripped through a Carmichael strip mall Sunday morning, destroying an empty store and leaving another badly damaged.

Flames were shooting from the roof of the building on Fair Oaks Boulevard. Sacramento Metro Fire says the fire started in the back of a vacant furniture store. The next door florist shop suffered minor smoke and fire damage in the attic.

The roof eventually collapsed at the strip mall, but fire fighters were prepared.

Fire officials say they discovered the roof of the store was unstable during a routine check on Thanksgiving Day and say that routine check is the reason no one was hurt in the blaze.

“That’s what saves people’s lives,” said Michelle Eidam of Sac Metro Fire. “It saves civilian lives and anyone walking by.  It also saves fire fighter’s lives.”

The damage is estimated at $300,000.