Ybor City area struck by 19th suspicious fire

Arson investigators say that an early morning fire today, which heavily damaged a house near a neighborhood that has been plagued by a series of arsons this year, appears suspicious.

This morning's blaze is the 19th over the past 12 months in and near the V.M. Ybor neighborhood just north of the historic district. It is the fifth fire at an occupied home and the first one south of Interstate 4 in Ybor City's historic district.

The homeowner, Ruby Byrd, 62, told investigators she had been staying with a sister for the past few nights and was not at home last night when the fire was set.

Of the 19 fires deliberately set, 14 were to vacant homes in the area.

James Byrd, whose family owns the damaged house and a couple of others on the block, said he was shocked by the fire.

"I don't know what adjective to use," he said. "Amazement. Awe. Shock."

He said he saw the fire early this morning and was relieved to find out no one was hurt.

"I have already forgiven whoever did it," he said. "I just pray and wish they find whatever they are looking for and stop putting other lives in jeopardy and danger."

Firefighters were called to 2308 E. 11th Ave. at 5:02 a.m. today and arrived to find smoke and flames showing through the roof, firefighters said.

Targeted homes are older, wood-frame structures that are feet and sometimes inches apart. Within a half-hour this morning, firefighters brought the blaze under control and kept it from spreading to nearby homes, said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade. No one was injured.

Investigators have yet to confirm the fire was deliberately set, but they have termed it suspicious. Of the two houses next to the torched house this morning, one is vacant, and one is occupied, firefighters said. Neither was damaged.

In recent weeks, police and fire officials have saturated the V.M. Ybor neighborhood, talking with residents in an attempt to track down the possible arsonist and asking for help in identifying suspicious people.

The most recent arson fire occurred exactly one week ago, prompting fire investigators to hold a news conference about the series of arsons and asking the public to keep their eyes open for anything that could be a clue. A task force was established and a telephone tip line was set up, as well as a Web site for anonymous tips.

Wade said a few tips came in from the phone line and the Web page, but so far, no solid leads have been generated from the lines.

Anyone with information about any of the fires is asked to call the hot line at (813) 274-7133 or log on to www.tampagov.net/fire to leave tips.

About 25 firefighters on four engines, a ladder truck and a pair of rescue cars responded to the alarm this morning, coming from stations in Ybor City, Jackson Heights, downtown and Palmetto Beach. Task force investigators also were there.

Most of the fires over the past year occurred in the Ybor City neighborhood just north of Interstate 4 between 15th Street and Interstate 275. Kim Headland, president of the V.M. Ybor Homeowners Association, said residents are wary.

They have mounted a campaign to contact owners of vacant houses to persuade them to put up spotlights on the homes and have them switched on at night.

"Everybody is being watchful and looking out for any suspicious activity," she said. "I can tell you that there are more porch lights on at night."