Accused Arsonist’s Appearance At Fire Leads To Arrest

Thonotosassa, FL — A 27-year-old Thonotosassa man faces criminal charges after his appearance near the scene of a recent arson fire piqued investigators’ interest.

According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, the search for an arsonist began when a storage building at the Temple Terrace Pony Baseball Complex was set ablaze on May 30. While investigators determined the cause was arson, they had no suspect identified. The determination of arson kicked off a collaboration between the county’s fire rescue department, Temple Terrace Fire Rescue, the State Fire Marshal and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 12, a similar fire erupted at 10369 U.S. 301 N. During that investigation, Lt. Adams from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office happened to spot a man on a bicycle near the scene. That sighting led to an interview of the man on the bicycle, Matthew Ethridge.

At the time, Ethridge told investigators he was simply riding in the area and saw the fire trucks. He “denied any involvement in the fire,” an email from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

The story didn’t quite add up to investigators, who kept digging. During the course of the investigation, they realized a fire set in the same general area in March had similar characteristics. Investigators also learned Ethridge was serving probation at the time of the June 12 fire for a bomb hoax, the email said.

Hoping to speak to the bicyclist more in depth, investigators visited Ethridge at his Thonotosassa home on June 21. During that interview, investigators say Ethridge professed a lifelong affinity to fire and said he had admired fire personnel since he was a child.

He also “confessed to setting two of the four fires investigators were focusing on,” the email said.

Ethridge was brought into custody at that time; charged with two counts of second-degree arson.

Investigators are continuing to work the case to see if Ethridge might be responsible for other fires in the Tampa Bay area.

His arrest was announced Tuesday, June 28.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Chief David Tucker, lead fire investigator, said collaboration was critical in the case.

“I have to give credit to our guys,” he said. “They really poured through all the evidence once his identity popped up.”

Tucker said there were no injuries in any of the fires Ethridge is accused of setting. The blazes were started with “common combustibles” found on the scenes and a simple lighter.

Ethridge remained in the Hillsborough County Jail Tuesday without bond. It is unclear if additional charges will be filed.

Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue/Hillsborough County Jail