Mistah F.A.B. blames arson for damage to Oakland store

A North Oakland clothing store owned by local rapper Mistah F.A.B. was damaged in a fire early Thursday in what the artist said was an act of arson.

Mistah F.A.B., whose real name is Stanley Cox, said in a video posted to Instagram that the perpetrators were “hateful” and “inconsiderate” of the 11 children who live in the apartments above his clothing store, Dope Era. No one was injured, Cox said.

A grocer who owns a market across the street from Dope Era called Cox’s sister, Theresa Anderson, between 2 and 2:30 a.m., telling her that the store was on fire.

Anderson, who lives three doors down from Dope Era, arrived to find that firefighters had put out most of the blaze. But there was a strong smell of gasoline and a burned gas can in the street, she said. Her brother got to the scene later in the morning after dropping his daughter off at school.

“I really didn’t even care too much about the shop, it was, ‘Is the children upstairs OK? Did the smoke get in their room?’ ” Cox told The Chronicle. “If a person had a dispute with me, don’t take your anger out on the shop and risk the lives of kids.”

His video Thursday morning showed the awning, ceiling, door frame and front of the store had been burned. He said security cameras that could’ve captured images of the perpetrator were destroyed in the fire. The damage, he said, will cost around $5,000 to repair.

Anderson said that the family has no enemies and that she was baffled by the incident.

“We don’t know who did it or what was their motivation to burn the store down. Maybe somebody doesn’t want an African American from the hood to do well here,” she said, citing recent tensions with neighbors and police.

During Black History Month this year, the Oakland City Council honored Cox and other Oakland natives for creating positive change in the city. Councilman Dan Kalb said in a proclamation that the “internationally revered rap musician,” who spearheaded the hyphy movement, worked to “promote peace, education and community” through his various philanthropic causes, including a school supplies giveaway and toy drive.

Former Mayor Jean Quan in 2014 designated Feb. 8 as Mistah F.A.B. Day.

The Oakland Police Department directed questions about the blaze to the Fire Department, which didn’t respond to inquiries.

“Before we burn down the pillars of our community, let’s take into consideration what they represent,” Cox said. “We’re a symbolization of hope to kids that you don’t have to rob or steal or sell drugs to create some opportunity.”