JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is investigating what it believes to be an arson in the Oak Hill area. This morning, crews were working a house fire near George Wood Lane.
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Action News Jax learned early this morning that this house fire was being investigated as an arson. Since then, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has detained someone for questioning. Almost 12 hours since an initial 911 call was made, and you can still smell the smoke as if the house were still in flames.
The renter of the home, Tamika Wolfe tells me she wasn’t home at the time of the fire – but the rest of her family was.
“I never imagined this happening to me. I came home last night around 11:59 p.m. and my house was in flames. Flames were everywhere and I’m glad my husband, my mom and my daughter was able to get out of the house in time,” said Wolfe.
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Wolfe is a renter and told Action News Jax that the home is owned by Boatright Properties. We have called and left a message with the property management company but have yet to hear back.
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Wolfe said her daughter is the one who called 911. She added that thankfully there were no injuries, but the home is now unlivable. Wolfe and her family are currently getting help from The Red Cross and they will stay at a nearby hotel for now. The house has been condemned by The City of Jacksonville and is no longer safe to live in or walk through.
“I just feel lost, like everything you worked so hard for is gone. Memories, pictures, everything is gone — I don’t have anything and it’s a hard time for me and my family right now,” said Wolfe.
When Action News Jax arrived on the scene we counted one tanker truck, five fire engines and several JFRD crew members responding.
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“When I arrived here at the house the house was in flames. It was very hard for us, traumatizing really. To see everything you’ve worked so hard for just gone in flames,” said Wolfe.
A redacted incident report from JSO about this arson investigation says that they have a suspect that they detained for questioning and that suspect was read their Miranda rights. The incident report also states that the state fire marshall was on scene and that this fire likely occurred from an open flame device that started in the master bedroom where two members of the house were sleeping.
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The Wolfe family has set up a GoFundMe to help with living expenses. If you would like to donate please click here.
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