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Plant City Police Say Historical Site Fire Was Arson

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By GEORGE WILKENS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

PLANT CITY - City police are investigating a weekend arson fire that damaged a nearly century-old building on the National Register of Historic Places.

The former Standard Oil gas station now houses Clip & Zip Discount Grooming, owned and operated by Gary Hicks, a registered sexual predator who has sparked controversy in recent years.

Hicks said Monday he does not think the fire is related to community protests that surrounded this business and his former shop, Pet City Center.

Authorities said the fire was started by someone who broke a window, ignited the flammable contents of an aerosol can and directed the spray into the building at 1111 N. Wheeler St. Damage was minimal and the fire apparently burned itself out.

Hicks, 37, said he discovered the damage when he opened his grooming and pet supply store about 9 a.m. Monday. The shop's resident cat, Taps, survived.

The local controversy surrounding Hicks began in March 2005, weeks after his release from prison, where he served less than a year of a 12-year sentence related to crimes against children.

Early this year, Hicks opened Clip & Zip one block north of the Pet City location in the tiny 1918 building, which held the distinction of being the oldest working gas station in Florida still operating in the 1990s.

Fire damage was limited to the lower frame of an old sash window on the building's south side, part of a sign, the fabric seat of a metal stool and historical photos and articles on the wall. Hicks spent much of Monday cleaning soot from merchandise and interior walls.

Delmar Jackson, a fire prevention chief with the Plant City Fire Department, estimated damage from the fire at $1,500.

Hicks is adamant the fire ignited late Sunday or early Monday is not related to his previous problems. "If they wanted me out that badly they would have done it months ago," he said, as there has been no picketing or controversy for four months.

He said the arson may be the work of gang members, "someone showing off or someone who has a vendetta" against him or his business.

Hicks said business has been good lately and the fire damage forced rescheduling of 10 dog-grooming appointments on Monday.

He said he's offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the arson.

Reporter George H. Newman contributed to this story. George Wilkens can be reached at gwilkens@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-4433.

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