Tampa police have arrested a 46-year-old man and charged him after an overnight fire in Ybor City.
- Tampa police: Arrest made in Ybor City arson
- Carroll DeMoss, 46, charged with 2nd degree arson and burglary
- $3,000 worth of damage
Carroll DeMoss, 46, has been charged with 2nd degree arson and burglary after a fire at 1512 E 8th Avenue, the location of the Ybor City Resort & Spa.
Two fires at that location in March were also ruled arson, and caused an estimated $100,000 damage.
It's kind of crazy, because we've already survived two unscathed and then another one," said Roy Sansbury, who manages the Rock Brothers bar next door. "When is it going to end?"
Two officers spotted smoke from the building just before 3 a.m. Tampa Fire Rescue responded and extinguished the fire.
A man, later determined to be DeMoss, was located in the building.
After being interviewed, DeMoss was charged with illegally entering the property and setting the fire intentionally.
Damage to the building has been estimated at $3,000.
Authorities did question DeMoss in March after the first two fires at the location. According to a search warranted issued at the time, DeMoss was seen taking cell video and ranting about how he was happy to see the place burn.
DeMoss was not charged in those fires, but investigators say the incidents are still being investigated.
The Ybor City Resort & Spa will be demolished in two to three months to make room for apartments and retail space, according to a representative for the property's owners. Nearby business owners hope both the arson arrest and the upcoming transformation of the property will help the area move forward again.