Local

Port Orange truck fire ruled arson

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — A Port Orange neighborhood is on edge after a truck on Acacia Drive burst into flames Tuesday morning.

Volusia County investigators confirmed it was arson. An accelerant was found inside.

Channel 9's Blaine Tolison spoke with neighbors Tuesday.

The fire was so big it scorched a tree limb. It has neighbors wondering if someone targeted the homeowner.

"I heard this tremendous bang, I mean, really loud. I really didn't know what it was, but it woke me up," witness Dottie Dunnebier said.

Dunnebier fled from her home sometime around 4 a.m. She lives next door to where fire engulfed a Dodge pickup truck, a Mercedes, and 1970 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

"We were afraid the houses were going to go up, so I grabbed my little dog and ran out and we stayed out here and watched the fire. The whole truck was just a ball of fire," Dunnebier said.

The fire in the Port Orange neighborhood on Acacia Drive burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived. Investigators later used a dog to sniff the scene. They determined someone started the fire on purpose.

"It's very (intense) to have stuff like that go on right next to you," Dunnebier said.

According to the property appraiser, the home belongs to a Timothy Panko. Neighbors said the man who lives there is a military veteran and has recently been in the hospital.

In the past, they said he has had friends over from time to time.

No one is sure why someone would target him, but investigators are looking at two people of interest.

The investigations do take some time and Channel 9 is speaking with the State Fire Marshal's Office to find out what direction they plan to take.