Arson investigation underway after 2 Ocala residents burned, 3 officers sent to hospital

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) firefighters are investigating a house fire that sent five victims, including three Ocala Police Department (OPD) officers, to the hospital near West Ocala on Thursday night as a suspected arson case.

According to OFR officials, a caller reported the fire at 11:10 p.m. on Thursday on the 1100 block of Northwest 9th Avenue.

Officers from the OPD were present for an unrelated call and were on the scene assisting the residents in escaping the smoke and flames.

OFR firefighters said they located two victims inside and were able to safely remove them, completing the operation within 5 minutes.

The fire was called under control by 11:18 p.m.

Both residents were sent to the hospital as trauma alerts where they received treatment for smoke and flame exposure.

Three OPD officers were also sent to the hospital for evaluation due to smoke inhalation. All three officers were released shortly after evaluation.

OPD officers posted on Facebook that this incident is being investigated as an arson.

If anyone has information that may help OPD detectives in their investigation, authorities ask you please come forward.

Anyone with information should contact the OPD at 352-369-7000 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County anonymously by dialing 352-368-STOP (7867) or **TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at OcalaCrimeStoppers.com.

If you use Crime Stoppers and your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

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