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Officials Say 9 St. Pete Fires Are Work Of Arsonist

By CHIP OSOWSKI / News Channel 8

Published: November 13, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Business owners in St. Petersburg cleaned up Monday after an arsonist set fire to a series of buildings and cars late Sunday.

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

Investigators said it appeared all the fires were related.

"We knew pretty quick that we had a problem," said Lt. Rick Feinberg, a spokesman for St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue. "Of course, we contacted the police department right away, and they started circulating the neighborhoods, checking out the alleys. But, unfortunately, it's a large area to cover, and as it stands right now we don't have anyone in custody."

Annie Grey manages the Miracle Med Spa, one of the most seriously damaged buildings.

"It's really sad. I feel really sad about this," Grey said. "We just really got it going. We had brought in some hairdressers and a doctor, and then somebody comes here and does something so senseless. It just breaks my heart."

Grey and the building's owners, Joel and Kathy Yanchuck, cleaned up Monday morning.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think someone would light a match to a spa. My stomach is now at the tip of my toes. But you carry on; you get it fixed. We built it once, and we'll build it again," Kathy Yanchuck said.

Investigators are interviewing people in the area and looking at surveillance video from a nearby business. They also are reviewing 911 calls to see whether whoever set the fires also reported them.

Investigators say 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.

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