Local

3 arrested after four vacant mobile homes go up in flames

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Three people have been charged after four mobile homes went up in flames in Marion County within three hours of one another over the weekend.

About 40 firefighters responded to the four fires that were set at vacant mobile homes near Citra.

The suspects were identified as Kenneth Beare, 42, Ketrina Cron, 28, and a 17-year-old juvenile.

The heavily wooded neighborhood is now littered with burned-out homes.

"What if I leave my place vacant and I have to go down south to work or something? Sometimes there is nobody at my place," resident James Boggs said.

The first fire started at 4 a.m. Sunday at a home on Northeast 40th Terrace. The following burning homes were right around the corner from each other.

Investigators are considering the possibility of an arsonist.

"I couldn't say for sure, but that is a definite possibility we're investigating," arson investigator Lt. Matt Legler said.

The area has been through this before, and neighbors said they've had several arsons over the last few years at vacant mobile homes.

"I would say I would be targeted. I have a lot of stuff around my house, It would be easy to be lit up and be the next one. I think everybody out here needs to keep their eyes open and do something," Boggs said.
Beare is charged with four counts of arson and burglary. His bond was set at $80,000.

Cron was charged with two counts of arson and burglary. Her bond was set at $40,000.

The juvenile was charged with four counts of arson and burglary.