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Person of interest in Cocoa arson in custody on unrelated charges

COCOA, Fla. — A fire that destroyed a Cocoa home was intentionally set, according to the state fire marshal's office, and a person of interest is in police custody on unrelated charges.
 
Firefighters said no one was home when the fire started in the living room of a home on Vanguard Drive.
 
Neighbors told Channel 9's Melonie Holt they were so concerned by the flames and flying embers that they grabbed garden hoses to help protect their homes.

"It was probably 30 feet high in the air," said neighbor William Jennett.

It was completely out of control," said neighbor Gary Miles.

The flames were so intense they melted the siding of Jennett's home next door.

Jennett and other neighbors weren’t happy when they found out the fire was ruled arson.

"It was kind of irritating. Your family is over here sleeping and something like that next door," said Jennett.

Authorities have not released the name of the person of interest.