House fire deemed suspicious displaces children, adults, dog

Fire sparked at empty home spread to Teakwood Villas in Arlington

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A fire that was sparked at an empty house Wednesday night in Arlington was believed to be suspicious, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.

A firefighter said the fire started at a home on Bretta Street and spread to the Teakwood Villas on Arlington Road. The house was a total loss.

James Gulledge, a witness, said no one had been living at the house since the owner died. Gulledge said he got into an altercation with a man who he said was pulling items out of the home. He said he turned around, and saw the house was on fire.

"I told him he needed to put it back, put the man's stuff back, stop stealing from his house, then me and him got into an argument," Gulledge said. "We started scuffling and then I looked over and the house was on fire."

One person was taken to a hospital for an issue unrelated to the fire, JFRD said.

One person was being questioned after the fire.

The American Red Cross was called to assist five children, six adults and a dog, according to Fire and Rescue. One of the adults was said to have special needs.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Photo: Hannah McGovern

About the Author:

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.