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Public Help Sought In Arson Cases

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The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating six intentionally set fires in downtown Sebring, near and in the vicinity of Sebring Middle School, located in the southeast quadrant of the city.

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: November 13, 2008

SEBRING - The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating six intentionally set fires in downtown Sebring, near and in the vicinity of Sebring Middle School, located in the southeast quadrant of the city.

But they need the public's help.

"These six structures were totally destroyed by fire on five different properties at an estimated cost of $150,000," said Sam Venzeio, crime analyst and public information officer.

These fires occurred over a period of about eight months, between Feb. 18 and Oct. 7, he said.

"No one was injured," he said. "I believe the majority of them were unoccupied."

Investigators at this time don't know if it was only one person, or if more people were involved in setting the fires.

He just knows law enforcement would like to catch them before they damage more property, injure or even kill someone, especially in cases when tragedy could have been avoided.

State fire investigators will not say how the fires were set. That's investigative information.

There could be a similarity in the methodology between at least two of the cases, he said.

People in these surrounding neighborhoods did not give much information, or perhaps were not able to supply information to the agency's arson investigators, he said.

He's hoping that people who remember anything useful that could lead to an arrest may be attracted by a reward.

Anyone with information about these fires or any suspicious activity or persons in the area of these fires, "particularly the latest fire on Rose Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood" is asked to call Arson Det. Jeff Batz at 863-679-4180, he said.

Or call the toll free Arson Hotline at 1-877-662-7766.

All callers can remain anonymous.

The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention (FACAP) is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification of the persons responsible for these fires, he said.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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