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St. Pete Arsonist Strikes 10th Time, Police Say

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By Josh Poltilove of The Tampa Tribune and Rod Challenger of News Channel 8

Published: November 13, 2007

Updated: 11/13/2007 02:35 pm

Previous Coverage: Arsonist Blamed For 9 Fires | Photos

ST. PETERSBURG The arsonist who struck western St. Petersburg early Monday apparently was back at work Monday night, police said.

Someone set a 1985 Buick Regal on fire in an alley behind 4632 1/2 Central Avenue about 11:30 p.m. The owner, 25-year-old George R. Flummer, told police he woke up when a smoke detector in his apartment sounded. When he looked out a window, he saw his car burning.

Fire crews were on scene in four minutes, and the blaze was put out quickly, Lt. Rick Feinberg of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue said.

No one was injured. The car was gutted. No damage estimate was immediately available.

This blaze was in the same area where someone had set nine fires since late Sunday.

The nine fires took place within two miles of Central Avenue beginning at 11:18 p.m. Sunday. Two of those fires damaged vehicles, three damaged buildings and the rest involved trash bins, fences or mattresses.

The fires have caused about $145,000 damage, Feinberg said. The worst caused about $75,000 damage to a spa and salon at 6400 1st Ave. N.

An investigator thinks the 10th fire is connected to the others, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said.

Investigators said Monday they also are looking into the possibility that two fires set at businesses in June may have been the work of the same person who struck Sunday night. Both of the earlier fires started outside businesses on First Avenue North within minutes of each other. Both cases remain open.

An investigation into the fires is ongoing.

Anyone with information should call Detective Bill Schorn, a fire investigator with St. Petersburg police, at (727) 892-5212.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813)259-7691. Rod Challenger can be reached at rchallenger@wfla.com or (727) 536-8443.

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