Man in Burning Apartment Tried to Stop Rescuers: Officials

TAMPA, FL — The battle to put out a Friday morning blaze at a Tampa apartment complex took an unusual turn when firefighters say a man inside the building tried to stop them from getting in.

The fire in question was reported in the 4300 block of West Bay-to-Bay Boulevard around 3:20 a.m. Dec. 2. When firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue arrived on the scene, they saw smoke and flames shooting out of a second-story window in a multi-unit apartment building.

“Firefighters placed a ladder on the front of the building and saw a person in the second story window with a hammer trying to prevent them from making entry through the window,” an email from the agency said.

While entry through the window was barred, other firefighters managed to get into the apartment through an interior entrance, the email said. Tampa Police officers, however, had to assist with riot shields.

Firefighters were ultimately able to gain access to the bedroom where the man had barricaded himself in with furniture. They were able to douse the flames of the fire that was located in the bedroom, the agency noted.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody for a psychological evaluation under the Baker Act, Tampa Fire Rescue reported. The man likely faces felony arson charges for setting the apartment’s bedroom ablaze, the agency's email said.

Residents from the neighboring apartment were able to get out safely with their four pets. No injuries were reported.

The fire was brought under control by 4 a.m. Its cause remains under investigation.

No further details are being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue