Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is investigating a possible arson; residents say it was retaliation for criticism of mobile home park owner.

RIVERVIEW, Fla. — A van was set on fire overnight Tuesday and now neighbors are searching for answers. 

It happened around 2:40 a.m. at the Alafia Riverfront Mobile Home Park in Riverview; Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is investigating and calls the fire “suspicious.”

10 Tampa Bay News covered the mobile home park on Monday after residents reached out to say the owner is raising lot fees illegally by not filing proper paperwork with the state and overcharging on water bills. In an email to residents, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says its currently investigating both issues but has not responded to our request to confirm.

Michael Sullivan says the fire is a clear message. Video from his Ring camera shows two people drive up to his house, pour fuel on a van across the street, set it on fire and peel out of the mobile home park, confirmed by security video from a neighbor, Richard Mooney.

“It’s a way to shut us up or scare us to get us out of here,” he said. “It’s scary. That’s like a mafia hit; you just don’t see that every day.”

He used a hose to put the flames out, but scorched pavement remains on his street. HCFR confirms it’s considered “suspicious” and may be arson.

“This is something I’m not going to be scared of,” Sullivan adds. “I will have my head on a swivel for sure, but we definitely feel that we were the target of this.”

That’s because he and his wife are in a legal battle with the park owner, Philips International. They’re refusing to pay rent on their lot because Philips raised it without informing the state.

Wednesday night, we talked with neighbors who agree with the couple.

“[Tuesday] night, I think it’s revenge on whatever happened the night before,” Mooney said.

While neighbors agree, the park manager, identified as “Sandy,” denies the accusation but adds it’s unusual.

“I’m at an absolute loss,” she said. “I wish I had something tangible to tell you, because this is not the community that I’ve known for 20 years.”

A spokesperson for HCFR wouldn’t say if it’s possible the fire is retaliation, only that it remains under investigation. Sullivan says he’s not scared.

“I don’t plan to leave this alone,” he said. “I’ll be watching every car that comes by here; if it takes me all night to sit out here, I’ll sit out here all night and monitor it.”