JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Police are investigating what they consider a suspicious fire early Sunday morning that critically injured one man.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the victim, a man in his late 20s, suffered excessive burns to his body and was taken with life-threatening injures to UF Health.
Four others escaped the burning house without injury. A puppy died.
The Jacksonville Fire Department was called to a house fire on Bahia Drive near St. Johns Bluff Road at 6:42 a.m. Sunday. Firefighters believe the fire started in the garage area of the house that was being used as a family room.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating.
"I will tell you we're working with Fire Marshal's Office to determine what happened inside the house," JSO homicide Sgt. Chuck Ford said.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.