Arson suspected in blaze
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News The residence pictured above, located at 2809 Sandy Ridge Drive in Whisper Bay, nearly burned to the ground Oct. 11. Midway Fire District and Florida State Fire Marshal's Office officials suspect an arsonist may have caused the fire.

A fire destroyed a house in Whisper Bay last week and fire officials suspect arson may be the cause. A reward is being offered for any information leading to the identification of persons responsible for the fire.

Midway Fire District, Pensacola Beach Fire Department and Gulf Breeze Fire and Rescue personnel responded to an emergency call around 3 a.m. at 2809 Sandy Ridge Drive on Oct. 11. Fire trucks were on scene within six minutes of the initial call, Midway Fire District official said. When firefighters arrived on scene, they began battling the fire that had already consumed 60 percent of the home and two cars in the driveway. Homeowner Cheryl McCaffry and her dog were rescued from the back yard. No injuries were reported. State Fire Marshal's Office investigators estimate the fire caused $250,000 in damages.

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News A charred frame and scattered bricks are all that remain of the western end of a home located at 2809 Sandy Ridge Drive that caught fire Oct. 11.

Lt. Clayton Miller with Midway Fire District said the house was beyond saving by the time firefighters arrived and that their main priority was to keep the flames from spreading to nearby homes and structures.

Neighbor Alicia Taylor said barking dogs woke her up.

"You could see an orange glow through the windows," Taylor said. The Whisper Bay resident said she evacuated her children to her mother's house close by while her husband called 9-1-1. Taylor also said she heard several loud booms while firefighters worked to suppress the flames.

Miller said the investigation was ongoing and did not have a definite explanation for the loud noises reported by neighbors.

"Vehicle gas tanks don't typically explode because they're not under pressure. It's not like what you see in the movies," Miller said. "It was possibly the tires blowing on the cars that were on fire, though we're not 100 percent on that."

Midway Fire District and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office are continuing to investigate the incident and are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads them to the suspected arsonist.

"We know [the fire] was not an accident," Miller said. "We've ruled out all accidental causes like a lightning strike or electrical failure."

Lt. Kevin Fiedor with the State Fire Marshal's Office said his investigators are currently conducting interviews to gather additional information.

McCaffry, who has lived at the residence since 1996, was not immediately available for comment. Fiedor said McCaffry is not a suspect in the investigation at this time.

Leigh Broxton with the Red Cross of Northwest Florida said McCaffry sought assistance through the charity organization and that they set up a hotel room for her. Broxton said McCaffry had not checked in as of press time.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the State Fire Marshal's Office at 850-453-7803.