PORT CHARLOTTE — Normally when the inventory from a butcher shop goes up in flames, it’s because someone is barbequing dinner, but Saturday night it was the result of something more malicious.

Kallis German Butcher Shop, which has been located at 2420 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte for the last 28 years, was the target of an arson fire which began around 8:15 p.m., according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Neighbors called 911 after they observed flames coming through the roof of an external freezer attached to the back of the building.