Arsonist wanted in Polk County fire, investigators say

INDIAN LAKE ESTATES, Fla. — Polk County Fire Rescue announced Saturday that they're looking for arsonist they suspect is connected to a 700-acre fire.

The fire started Friday and a mandatory evacuation order was ordered for residents of Indian Lake Estates, Polk County Fire Rescue said. Residents were allowed to return to their homes after 4 p.m. Saturday, fire rescue said.

There are 800 homes and 8,000 lots in the Indian Lake Estates, fire rescue said.

The fire is 75 percent contained.

“Fire crews need residents to leave the area so firefighters can protect structures,” PCFR said on its Facebook page.

The American Red Cross was on the scene and opened a shelter at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales to house residents displaced by the fire. The shelter has since closed since the evacuation order was lifted.

The Florida Forest Service also responded to the fire and used tractors to create plow lines in an attempt to protect structures from the blaze.

Several structures were destroyed, but none of them are residential homes, fire rescue officials said.

Friday’s fire was the second to cause evacuations at Indian Lake Estates this year.

On Feb. 15, a brush fire spanning hundreds of acres prompted emergency personnel to evacuate about 800 homes.

By the end, the fire burned through about 1,600 acres in the area, officials said.

A $5,000 reward has been offered to anyone who may know information about the arsonist that could lead to an arrest, fire rescue said. Call 1-800-342-5869 for tips.

Cox Media Group