Jacksonville man arrested for arson after walking away from the fire, covered in soot and ash
By: A man in Jacksonville was arrested for arson after officers said he was spotted walking away from the fire, covered in soot and ash.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) said on Sunday morning, an officer detained William Baker — wearing a Trump t-shirt and covered in ash and soot — near a burning home in the Brooklyn neighborhood near Riverside Avenue.
The sheriff's office said Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews worked quickly to contain the flames. Body camera video from the apprehension captures a glimpse of the raging fire.
After interviewing neighbors and reviewing surveillance video, the sheriff's office determined there was probable cause to arrest Baker for arson.
Following an investigation, JSO said the home that was set on fire was reported vacant. The sheriff's office said investigators believe Baker was attempting to squat there when he set the fire. The home was reported vacant, and investigators believe Baker was attempting to squat there when he set the fire. Officers later learned Baker bought gasoline from a nearby gas station before starting the blaze.
JSO said Baker is a known transient in the area and was arrested three times in the past four weeks. He had two dogs with him, which appeared to have sustained injuries from the fire. A witness told an officer, Baker allegedly threw a dog over a fence after the fire had started.
Baker was booked into the Duval County Jail for arson, a first-degree felony.