Fire At Uhuru House Under Investigation In St. Pete: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Saturday morning fire at the Uhuru House is under investigation, authorities said.

Officers responded to 1291 18th Ave. S. around 10:15 a.m., according to a news release from the St. Petersburg Police Department.

A flag hanging on a flagpole at the house and some nearby palm trees were set on fire. There were no other damages or injuries, police said.

In a Facebook post, the African People’s Socialist Party USA said the fire was started by a flamethrower.

“The Uhuru House in St. Petersburg, Florida has come under attack just days before the colonial 4th of July holiday,” the organization posted. “The African flag, adopted by our people more than 100 years ago, to represent our colonially dispersed African Nation was torched in broad daylight. These attacks are a consequence of the deepening crisis of colonial capitalism.”

The worldwide Uhuru Movement falls under the African People’s Socialist Party, “uniting African people as one people for liberation, social justice, self-reliance and economic development,” according to the organization’s website.

Detectives are investigating the arson. Anyone with information can contact SPPD at 727-893-7780 or text SPPD plus your tip to TIP411.