Man Sets 'Witch’s’ Home Afire In ‘Rescue’ Attempt: Deputies

HOLIDAY, FL — A 63-year-old Holiday man’s alleged fiery attempt to rescue his daughter from a woman he accused of holding her hostage ended with his Wednesday arrest.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dan Fry went to the woman's home in the 2000 block of Melody Drive on July 19 in search of his "daughter." Deputies say Fry returned about two hours later, around 5:30 p.m., again seeking his daughter, who does not live at that address.

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“The defendant banged on the door several times shouting for this subject,” an arrest report said.

When the woman who does live at the home refused to answer, Fry is accused of taking out a gasoline canister and pouring its contents onto the woman’s front porch and door.

“The defendant used a lighter from his pocket and set the gasoline on fire,” the arrest report said.

At that point, the woman inside the home, who has not been identified, saw visible flames coming from under her door, the report said. She filled a bucket with water and put the fire out. She also called the sheriff’s office.

Deputies say they arrived in time to find a black soot pattern on the door that rose to about 2 feet in height. They also found soot inside the door and a welcome mat that “was set ablaze." Half the mat was in ashes, the report noted.

After being read his rights, deputies say Fry admitted to setting the fire.

“The defendant stated he believed the victim was holding his daughter Samantha hostage and they were conducting witchcraft inside,” the arrest report said. Fry also allegedly told deputies he knew what he was doing when he set the fire and knew someone was in the home, but was “simply ignoring him.”

In addition to the woman who lives in the home, deputies say three “infant children” live at the address.

Fry now faces arson of an occupied dwelling charges, according to the arrest report. He was booked into the Land O' Lakes Jail following his arrest with a request from the deputy for a high bond amount, due to the "severity of the crime" and the fact Fry lives pretty close to where the alleged arson occurred, the report noted. It is unclear if a high bond amount was set.

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Photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office