Firefighter Injured After Man Allegedly Set Home Ablaze

TAMPA, FL — An early Wednesday morning fire at a home on Gunn Highway left one firefighter injured and has led to a criminal investigation.

According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, the blaze in the 5200 block of Gunn Highway was reported around 1:40 a.m. Oct. 19. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office called in the report, saying deputies were on the scene after receiving a report about an unstable person, an email from fire rescue said.

“While on scene, deputies reported that the male inside the home set it on fire,” the email said. “Deputies also reported that there were possibly three other individuals inside the home.”

When fire crews arrived, they found heavy flames and smoke coming from the rear of the home. An immediate attack was started, along with a search for the three people who might have been inside the home.

No one was found inside the home. It was later learned that the man lived alone, the email noted.

It took about 30 minutes for crews to knock down the single-alarm fire, the agency said. One firefighter suffered a minor injury.

The man who lives at the home has not yet been identified. He is in the custody of the sheriff’s office with charges pending.

No further information is available at this time.

Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue