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Investigators: Tampa House Fire That Displaced 10 Was Arson

News Channel 8 photo

Firefighters had the flames under control at 1202 E. Columbus Drive in about a half-hour this morning.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

Updated: 03/09/2009 05:41 pm

TAMPA - A fire this morning that left 10 people homeless was set intentionally, investigators say.

Officials said no one was injured in the blaze at 1202 E. Columbus Drive that caused $88,000 damage.

Xiomara Cuellar, 39, said she was home asleep when the fire started. She said a man who lives down the street knocked on her door just after 5:30 a.m. and said her shed was on fire.

"It sounded like frying chicken, like fireworks," Cuellar said.

A couch in the shed was on fire and the blaze spread to the house, she said.

Tampa Fire Rescue said it took about 30 minutes to bring the flames under control.

One of the residents, Jason Valdez, said he told investigators he thought the fire was intentionally set.

Miguel Burgos said he lived in the home and knows who set the fire, saying they did it out of "animosity" after a dispute. He said he believes the people who set the blaze only wanted to burn the couch, not the home.

"They were here earlier in the day," Burgos said. "They came with about 12 people with guns and stuff. … They came to have a little fight. They didn't want to do nothing. So then I went to the park to fight with them. They didn't want to fight. So instead they did a coward move. I mean, honestly, cowards do that. Cowards."

The Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross will find temporary lodging for the displaced occupants, including two children, officials said.

"I have nowhere to go," Cuellar said. "This is all I have left. My family is alive. We'll just move on and wait for the devil to strike next."

It was the second fire in the neighborhood within days. Early Sunday, an electrical fire destroyed a home at 1205 E. 15th Ave., about 200 yards away.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Eric Hausmann and TBO.com producer Beth Gaddis contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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