Early morning house fire ruled arson in Apalachicola

Fire at 214 9th Street home in Apalachicola ruled work on an arsonist

An arsonist is to blame for setting a vacant Apalachicola home a blaze before day Tuesday morning, said Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes.

Detective Bryant from the State Fire Marshal office is now investigating the fire at 214 9^th Street and is offering rewards of up to $5,000 and more from a fund by the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention for information leading to the identification of persons responsible for the fire.

Apalachicola Assistant Fire Chief Fonda Davis, Sr., said that crews from the Apalachicola All Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the one-story home around 3:40 a.m., Tuesday and had the blaze under control by 4:30 a.m.  Which started in the rear of the structure.

Shortly afterwards the State Fire Marshal office were contacted to investigate the origin of the fire, ruled to be the work of an arsonist.

Anyone with information that will lead to the identification of the persons responsible can contact Detective Bryant directly at (850)413-3903 or call the Arson Control toll free number at (877)662-7766.