Add another arson case to the pile

Not every arson starts with a Molotov cocktail.

In Florida, if someone starts a fire in the act of a felony, it gets investigated as arson.

Detective Stacy McIntyre, a spokesman with the State Fire Marshal, said someone could be burglarizing a home and turn on the light switch.

If there’s an electrical short and the home catches fire, the burglar could be prosecuted for starting it, according to Florida law.

The same goes for someone whose house goes up in flames during the course of operating a marijuana grow house.

Ruben Herrera, 53, of 343 Lincoln Ave. in Masaryktown was arrested Friday night after Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to a house fire.

They attacked the flames swiftly and contained it to the kitchen and attic. While there, firefighters noticed marijuana plants in three rooms of the house, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Herrera was charged with cultivation of marijuana, person in possession of a residence utilized in manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with a meter.

The State Fire Marshal also was summoned to the scene. Herrera is being investigated for arson, but has not yet been charged, said McIntyre.

That makes the fourth open arson case in Hernando County this year.

McIntyre said most investigations take time.

“Arson is a highly, highly specialized field,” he said. “The investigations are intensive.”

The first local arson this year was at an apartment duplex at 904 Howell Ave. next to the Hernando High School football stadium. The fire took place March 25.

On Aug. 15, the Ramble Inn was burned down as a result of an apparent arson, authorities said.

The watering hole, a popular hangout for motorcycle enthusiasts, was located off U.S. 19 a short distance south of the Citrus County border.

Four weeks later, Suncoast Mattress caught fire.

The blaze destroyed the business located at 11021 Spring Hill Drive near Mariner Boulevard.

No arrests have been made in connection to any of the fires.

McIntyre remained tight-lipped about the investigation. He said most arson cases are handled by more than one agency.

“Usually they are multi-joint task force investigations,” he said. “We’re very careful.”

Anyone with information about any of the aforementioned cases is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal at 1-877-NOARSON.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or [email protected].