According to News Chief, around 10:25 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14 Haines City, FL Police Officers responded to a house that was set ablaze at 400 S. 14th Street, in Haines City, FL during a man's apparent attempt to kill himself, Haines City, FL police reported.
Stephen Kenneth Benson, 62, of Haines City, FL, the owner of the home, told Haines City, FL Police officers just prior to being airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center , in Orlando, FL that he intentionally set the fire in an attempt to commit suicide.
Benson was admitted to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, in Orlando, FL in critical condition, according to the Haines City, FL Police report.
Haines City, FL Police reported that Benson's roommate, 63-year-old Vercil F. Snyder, of Haines City, FL was taken to Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Haines City, FL.
He was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
Damage to the house exceeded $50,000, according to the Haines City, Fl police report.
Haines City, Fl Investigators with the state Fire Marshal's Office responded to the burned house and classified the fire as Arson; Haines City, FL police report states.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Arson is defined as any willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without the intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, personal property, motor vehicle or aircraft etc.
Nationally, 62,807 arson offenses were reported by 14,011 law enforcement agencies that provided up to 12 months of arson data in 2008.
Of those agencies, 13,980 provided expanded offense data concerning 56,972 arsons.
The average dollar loss per arson offense is $16,015.
In 2008, arson offenses decreased by 3.6 percent when compared to with the 2007 reported numbers, U.S. Department of Justice reports.
Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call us toll free at (877) 299-5539. Your consultation is free and you are not responsible for any legal fees or costs unless you receive a recovery.
