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Highlands Today

Rancher Restaurant Burns Down

FIRE DECLARED ARSON, 1 MAN INJURED

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: June 23, 2008

HIGHLANDS COUNTY — A fire that burned down the Rancher restaurant early Sunday morning was set deliberately, according to Sam Venzeio, State Fire Marshal spokesman.

The 40-foot-wide-by-120-foot-long eatery was located at 15765 State Road 70, on the border of Highlands and Okeechobee counties, he said.

The fire was called in at 1:12 a.m. Sunday.

"We have developed a person of interest," Venzeio said Monday. "But, we're not releasing any name."
One man, who is not a firefighter, was hospitalized at Okeechobee Hospital with serious burns and later was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. His condition was unknown.

The injured man's relationship to the fire was not known as of press time.

A man riding a motorcycle was reportedly seen leaving the scene of the fire toward Okeechobee County, and authorities were put on alert to watch for him, according to State Fire Marshal Lt. Brandon Ball.

Firefighters from Okeechobee County, Lorida Volunteer Fire Department and the Seminole Indian Tribe fought the blaze, which was put out by 5 a.m.

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