PALM BAY, Fla. – Authorities in Palm Bay are investigating a suspicious house fire after household items were taken from the home before it went up in flames.
No injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out around 10 p.m. on Emerson Drive.
Firefighters said belongings from the home were scattered in the front yard and then the house was set ablaze.
Officials later said the resident had been evicted.
"It's kind of suspicious that they were evicted and, within hours, the place builds up into flames," said Russ Romines, who lives next door with his wife, Dawn.
The couple said they saw flames ripping through the home.
"It was really intense and it got to a point where the flames were shooting way high into the air," Dawn Romines said.
Another neighbor, Robert Minter, said he saw the resident of the home hours before the fire broke out.
"I knew he was totally upset, and I saw him pacing (Monday) back and forth," Minter said.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and an investigation is ongoing. A state fire marshal will investigate the cause of the fire.
PBFR units responded to a working structure fire on Emerson Dr SE this evening. With most of the contents scattered throughout the front yard, this fire is being labeled as suspicious and is currently under investigation. The crews were able to make entry and extinguish the fire. No injuries or occupants reported.
Posted by Palm Bay Fire Rescue on Monday, March 11, 2019
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