TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Second Arson Hits Avon Park Area In Three Days

SUNDAY FIRE CLAIMS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT’S SALES OFFICE

ADVERTISEMENT

By Douglas  Carman | Highlands Today

Published: December 31, 2007

AVON PARK — The sales office of a new housing subdivision was heavily damaged early Sunday, and the State Fire Marshall declared it the second arson in three days for the Avon Park area.
The fire at 1200 S. Florida Ave. comes just two days after a Friday morning blaze that struck the New Life Ministries at 25 S. Verona Ave.

The sales office, which was also a model home, was part of Water's Edge at Lake Anoka. The 58-unit housing development that boasted personal elevators for some of the homes, was still under construction.

Last Sunday, Water's Edge's construction office trailer also burned in what was ruled as an electrical fire. In light of Sunday's arson, however, fire officials "might be taking another look at it," said Mike Morse, the assistant chief for the Highlands Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.
A call to Green Avon Park LLC, Water's Edge's developer, was not returned. Laura Higgins, who is the head real estate agent for Water's Edge, declined comment Sunday.

It's not known if the State Fire Marshall made any connections between Sunday's arson at Water's Edge and Friday's fire at New Life Ministries. Calls to the State Fire Marshall's office in Lake Wales were not returned Sunday.

According to Morse, the fire started from a back room on the house's first story and spread upstairs, removing half the upper balcony and damaging the roof. The Highlands Lakes VFD was dispatched at 2:05 a.m. Sunday, with units from Avon Park and West Sebring coming in later.

Barbara Longean, who lives near the site of the model home, said she and her husband, George, woke up around 3 that morning seeing the house on fire. The smoke, she added, was visible from U.S. 27.

Anyone with information on the fire at Water's Edge is encouraged to call Brandon Ball at the State Fire Marshall's office. He can be reached at 863-679-4180 or at 1-877-662-7766. Tips are being sought for this fire as well as Friday's arson at the New Life Ministries.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT