Second Suspect Arrested in String of VM Ybor Arson Fires

Tampa Police have arrested Reginald Gray on two counts of first degree arson in connection with a vacant house fire on Saturday at a home on East Columbus Drive.

Gray, 57, of 2909 E. 23rd Ave., was arrested Monday evening at his home.

Video surveillance showed him using his walker as he came from the rear of the house at 1713 E. Columbus Dr. as smoke is billowing out of the vacant home, Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said in a news release.

A short time later, the home was fully engulfed in flames. The fire spread to the house next door that was also vacant. A witness from the scene identified the suspect. Investigators quickly tracked down the suspect and questioned him about the fire. He admitted to setting the weekend blaze and is a suspect in
five other Ybor City fires, McElroy said.

This is the second arrest in the 19 VM Ybor fires. Tampa Police detectives arrested Kenneth Brian Smith, 44, on July 9 in Chicago on one count of first degree arson. He is suspected of setting fire to a vacant home at 1412 E. 21st Ave. Smith is a suspect in eight additional Ybor fires. The fires had stopped after his arrest until this weekend's arson.