×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Lehigh man charged with arson following early morning blaze

By Staff | Dec 5, 2008

mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com

A 19-year-old Lehigh Acres man faces felony arson charges today following a fire that gutted a home in Lehigh on Sunday, Nov. 30 at around 2 a.m. Whenfirefighters arrived at 3110 68th W. St., the house was fully involved, said Patrick Comer, the Lehigh Acres Fire District’s public information officer.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, working with the local fire marshal, has arrested Luis G. Francisco, whose last known address given by the Sheriff’sOffice is 5337 Butte St., Lehigh Acres.

Comer said the house was a total loss, putting the value of the home at around $150,000.

Francisco has been charged with three felonies ˆ first-degree arson, burning adwelling with intent to defraud an insurer and with arson causing great bodilyharm to a person. He was booked in the Lee County Jail.

The person injured, according to Comer, is his brother, Mario Francisco, 20, who was hospitalized in critical condition. Comer said the brother has first-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

Although Comer was unable to say whether Mario Francisco, was involved in setting the fire, he did say more arrests are expected.

Luis Francisco has a criminal record on file with the Sheriff’s Office. In December of 2007, he was charged with burglary and larceny of an unoccupieddwelling, two felonies.

Comer said nothing could be saved of the burning dwelling but firefighters fought to save a nearby house and brush area.

“The fire department sent two engines, one water tender because there are nohydrants in the area and two ambulances and a brush truck, with a total of 12 firefighters and Battalion Chief John Wayne. The fire was under control in approximately 30 minutes and one small brush fire was also caused by flying embers and was quickly contained,” said Charlie Robbins, a photographer who was on the scene, who also said the house was unoccupied.

“It was really a big fire, Comer said. “That house was fully ablaze when thefirefighters arrived on the scene. There was no way to save it.”

The investigation is continuing, Comer said.