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Child Blamed In St. Pete House Fire

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TBO.com

Published: December 8, 2008

A child playing with a lighter started a fire Sunday night that caused smoke damage to a St. Petersburg home, authorities say.

No one was hurt in the fire at 721 44th Ave. N., but the four people who lived in the house found temporary shelter through the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross, St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Granata said.

Firefighters responded to the scene at 8:19 p.m. and found moderate smoke showing from the house. Crews quickly extinguished a fire in the bedroom, Granata said.

Investigators say the house did not have a working smoke alarm. Damage is estimated at $2,000.
The child, whose name and gender were not released by authorities Sunday night, will be referred to the Pinellas County Juvenile Fire Stopper Program, Granata said.

The program is for children and families that have been involved in cases of fire play or fire-setting behaviors. Fire prevention, safety and aid in breaking the chain of fire-setting is taught to families.

Damage is estimated at $2,000.

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