Arson remains unsolved
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News A home on Sandy Ridge Lane (pictured above) was destroyed by a fire on Oct. 11. Authorities determined the blaze to be the work of an arsonist and are still trying to track down possible suspects.

Three months after a fire destroyed a Whisper Bay home, the charred frame still stands on Sandy Ridge Lane and neighbors want answers. State fire officials determined the cause of the fire to be arson and say no arrests have been made. Neighbors say that homeowner Cheryl McCaffry has disappeared and that they want something done about the derelict property.

"I have not seen her or heard from her," said neighbor Jim Taylor, who said he is considering organizing other neighbors to file a formal complaint with the county's code enforcement office. "I think everyone is fed up with it," Taylor said. "How would you like to live next to the police 'Do Not Cross' line?"

According to Santa Rosa County Compliance Superintendent Skip Tompkins, the county is legally required to contact the homeowner before code enforcement officers can take any action.

"We make every effort to contact the homeowner through certified mail or by phone," Tompkins said. "After we meet the requirements of the ordinance, we can move ahead."

Tompkins explained that "moving ahead" entails bringing the case before county commissioners and giving the homeowner 60 days to respond or begin work. If there is no response from the homeowner after the 60-day period, the county can bid the contract out, and place a lien on the property to pay for its destruction.

"A lot of times insurance companies drag their feet in this type of situation," Tomkins said. "That's why you don't see a lot of activity on cases like these."

Lt. Kevin Fiedor with the regional state fire marshal's office said investigators did speak with McCaffry and that the arson investigation is ongoing.

"We're still looking for information and we need public help," Fiedor said, adding that he did not want to release any information that might compromise their investigation.

Investigators are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads them to the suspected arsonist.

On Oct. 11, 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 Lane. The fire engulfed the home in addition to two vehicles parked in the driveway. McCaffry was home at the time and was rescued by firefighters from her backyard. Investigators said it seems the blaze began in one of the two vehicles parked in the driveway and spread to the home.

Fiedor remained optimistic about the investigation and noted his office's success in closing arson cases.

"We're way above the national average in this region," Fiedor said. "It's the way we operate as a team in this region and the relationship we have with fire departments and police departments. Because of that nothing gets overlooked."

Fiedor said his office, which covers eight counties between Escambia and Gulf Counties, had a 44 percent arrest rate in arson cases last year. He said the national average is 18 percent.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the fire marshal's office at 850-453-7803.