Arson suspected in East County house fire

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office expects arson occurred when a vacant home set fire in the 3000 block of 12th Street Court East late Monday.

When deputies arrived to the scene at 9:30 p.m. Monday, the fire was contained to one room. 

While firemen put the fire out, deputies observed a person nearby the residence. 

That person, who is now a person of interest in this case, was a person of interest in previous arson cases. 

There have been no arrests. 

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].