SEBRING A family of five is safe, but their home was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. After the fire department arrived about 1:20 p.m., Sonja Vasquez drove up, crying, holding an infant. Firemen were still inside her home, using long-handled pikes to pull down the ceiling in the kitchen and living room. Sebring Fire Chief Brad Batz said the small, three-bedroom, wood-frame house at the corner or Rainbow and Warfield would likely be a total loss. Clearly, neighbors estimated, Vasquez, her husband and three children wouldn't be able to go inside for hours, maybe not until Sunday morning. The fire started in the kitchen area, but Batz didn't think cooking was the cause. ...more

November 29, 2008

The Tampa Fire Marshal has identified the woman injured in a house fire earlier today at 1915 E. 18th Ave. She is Francis Baker, 85, and she is still being treated at Tampa General Hospital for severe smoke inhalation. ...more

November 27, 2008

HOLMES BEACH - Within hours of a Sunday night fire that destroyed part of a motel owned by missing Holmes Beach resident Sabine Musil-Buehler, police questioned her boyfriend, William J. Cumber. ...more

November 18, 2008

A fire Sunday night destroyed part of a motel in Manatee County that is co-owned by a woman who disappeared two weeks ago. ...more

November 17, 2008

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. ...more

November 13, 2008

Officers and agents who will scan vehicles around Raymond James Stadium during Super Bowl week are training on X-ray imaging equipment this morning to spot explosives and other contraband. ...more

November 12, 2008

Drug Paraphernalia Or Art Project? SPRING HILL - A Spring Hill woman arrested on drug charges Saturday evening claimed the syringe deputies found in her purse - next to the glass pipe with the white residue - was for an art project, a report states. ...more

November 4, 2008

Polk deputies are investigating three arson cases at Ridge Middle School in Dundee. ...more

October 24, 2008

A Sarasota woman and her dog died in a house fire Friday night that likely started because the family did not have power and was using candles to see, authorities said. ...more

October 12, 2008

A 51-year-old woman and a family dog were found dead after a fire in Sarasota County on Friday evening, according to the Sarasota County Fire Department. ...more

October 10, 2008