Suspected arsonist arrested as Bradford County motel engulfed in flames
Firefighters had to be pulled back from Economy Inn fire because of ‘suspicious items’
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Economy Inn on U.S. 301 in flames May 20. (WJXT)
LAWTEY, Fla. – A man suspected of intentionally starting a fire at the Economy Inn on U.S. 301 in Lawtey has been arrested, according to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Gordon Smith said the man, whose name has not been released yet, walked next door to a convenience store and said he had a bomb next door, prompting a call to police.
He said officers found the man and were talking with him outside but he tried to run and got into a scuffle with the officers. One officer was bitten and another was hit in the face, Smith said. They suffered minor injuries.