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3 Men Charged In Tampa Fire That Left 10 Homeless

News Channel 8 photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

Yadira Burgos(left), Yesenia Cuellar and her 2-year-old son escaped the fire shaken, but unhurt.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 10, 2009

Updated: 03/10/2009 03:05 pm

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Luis Hernandez

Abdiel Gonzalez-Ramos

TAMPA - Two Tampa men and a teenager have been arrested on charges of arson and attempted murder following a fire Monday morning that left 10 people homeless.

Luis Hernandez, 25, and Abdiel Gonzalez-Ramos, 22, were arrested early this morning by Tampa Fire Rescue in connection to a fire at 1202 E. Columbus Drive, an arrest report states. Raul Diaz, 15, was arrested this afternoon on the same charges and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

All three were charged with attempted second-degree murder and first-degree arson of a dwelling. They were arrested at the Tampa Police Department's District 3 station, 3808 N. 22nd St.

Gonzalez-Ramos, of 1311 E. 15th Ave., and Hernandez, of 2131 W. Paris St., remained in Orient Road Jail today. Their bail has not been set.

Hernandez, who goes by the alias King Lulu, is a member of the Latin Kings gang, an arrest report states.

The fire caused $88,000 damage.

"Police officers and fire investigators talking with the people who lived inside the house as well as neighbors quickly figured out who did this case ... of arson," Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Bill Wade said.

Capt. Wade said investigators believe the fire was set in retaliation for a fight between one or more people living in the home and family members or friends of the suspects. Wade said the investigation is ongoing.

On Monday morning, 39-year-old Xiomara Cuellar 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.

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.

Outside the home Monday morning, Miguel Burgos said he lived there and knew who set the fire. He said the arsonists did it out of "animosity" after a dispute. He said he believed 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."

News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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