Even with accused arsonist behind bars, another Ybor City fire is deemed suspicious

TAMPA - Depending on who you talk to, the old house at 1412 E. 21st Avenue on the northern reaches of Ybor City has burned anywhere from twice to four times before.  And it's no accident.

"Well," said District Fire Chief Kurt Edwards -- choosing his words carefully,"Being a vacant structure with no power, no lights... we're investigating this one."

Investigating yet another Ybor arson. This despite the arrest of the Ybor arsonist back in May.

Folks living in the 1920s bungalows -- amid the abandoned properties -- are worried.

"Of course, " said Quistan Key standing on her front porch, "I have kids. I was in the house sleeping when the officer came to the door."

SoI asked her if knowing there's another arsonist out has her a little bit concerned?

"Yes," she said flatly.

It has Tampa Fire Rescue Captain Lonnie Benniefield concerned too.

I asked him if there was a thought or fear amongst investigators that this might be a copy cat?

"Yeah," he told me. "I''m sure in the back of (the Fire Marshals') minds, they may be thinking that."

The Fire Marshals Office is asking anyone with any information to come forward but they aren't holding out much hope for help.

Most everyone was sleeping when the blaze broke out just after midnight, but at least one firefighter has figured out one way to not have to come back here.
 

"We're going to request the Fire Marshals Office to go ahead and start a Code Enforcement operation to see if we can get this demolished, "said Fire Chief Edwards. "To keep from responding back here on another one."