Pair of Arrests Made in Connection with Fla. House Fire

A Florida mother and son are facing arson charges after being apprehended reportedly driving away in a van four miles from their burning house. The arrests followed an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, that determined the fire had been deliberately set.

Investigators said Eleanor Ramos and her son Victor lived together and that a witness saw a van reportedly leaving just before the fire at their home, which occurred shortly after midnight. Seminole County Deputies stopped the vehicle about four miles from the burning house.

A state arson investigator, after determining the fire began in Ms. Ramos’ bedroom and that paint thinner likely was used to accelerate it, interrogated the two. Allegedly one confessed that the two started the fire.

The two were booked into the Seminole County Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.