A Florida man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly setting a fire that killed four people and three dogs.
Hillsborough County 911 received an emergency call just after midnight that multiple people and pets were trapped inside a burning mobile home in Plant City, about 25 miles east of Tampa.
Rescuers arrived and found three people gathered in one part of the home and one person alone in another.
They pulled them out of the home through windows but all four unidentified adults — members of the same family — were already deceased. Officials said they were unable to get out of the house in the blaze but it was not clear why.
Three of the five dogs in the home were also found dead.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced later Wednesday morning that Shawn Gossett, a 25-year-old resident of the home but not related to the victims, was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder along with charges of animal cruelty and arson.
Police said the suspect allegedly started the fire with a lighter and paper towels, but his motive remains unclear.
“This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. “Our priority is to uncover the cause and ensure the safety of the individuals in our community.”
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