Investigators believe someone intentionally set a Fruit Cove home on fire, Tuesday.
Cellphone video captured flames exploding from the roof of the house on Village Green Avenue.
John Crandall said the sound of firefighters and trucks outside his window caught his attention early in the morning.“The flames were shooting out pretty good in the back part of the roof. There you can see where it melted some and the smoke and stuff,” he said.
Crandall, who was in the house across the street, said he helped the man who escaped the flames.
"He was shocked by it all. He was surprised," Crandall explained.
A sign posted outside the house says investigators suspect arson.
Dogs sniffed the charred debris Tuesday afternoon.
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Crandall said, “It’s totaled; to me, it looks totaled. It doesn’t look like there’s much left. You can tell from the roof melting and stuff, it got pretty hot.”
Crandall is focused on helping the home’s owner, who isn’t sure what’s next.
“I’m just somebody to talk to. He needs somebody to talk about it. He has no family up here so he’s just by himself,” he said.
Investigators are offering a reward for anyone with information about the fire.
Anyone who knows anything about this fire is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email us at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
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Cox Media Group
