CHAD COOKLER
ABC Action News
Reprinted with Permission

TAMPA - A fire that did extensive damage to two homes in Ybor City Sunday afternoon has been ruled an arson, and investigators say it may be linked to a string of other suspicious fires.

The first fire started at a home in the 1500 block of East 17th Avenue after 4:30 p.m. The 3-alarm blaze quickly spread to a neighboring home. A nearby business, Tommy's Wholesale, a fresh fruit distributor, was also threatened by the heavy smoke billowing out of both homes.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital after suffering heat exhaustion, while another injured his back and also had to go to the hospital.

Both wood framed homes are separated by only a couple of feet of space. One of the homes in unoccupied while the other is used by Tommy's for office space and storage.

The house at 1521 East 17th suffered about $75,000 in damage, while the home located at 1219 East 17th had at least $150,000 in damages. The main building for Tommy's suffered only minor smoke damage.

Investigators are saying Sunday's fire could be linked to a string of 22 suspicious or arson fires in Ybor City since January 2009.

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