JSO: Man sets house, car on fire

Man found in front yard smoking a cigarette when police arrived

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Anthony Pelletier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Mayport man is in police custody after he allegedly poured gasoline on his car and home, lighting them on fire and leaving his wife and kids without a place to stay.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department received the call at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday in reference to a house fire on Majestic Cyprus Lane, which is behind Mayport Elementary School.

Recommended Videos



Fire-rescue was called to the home by a woman who said her husband had been drinking all day and was upset.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Anthony Pelletier

She actually left the home with her two children and went to a fire station that was about a block away from the house.

Police said when fire rescue crews arrived, the man, later identified as Anthony Pelletier (pictured), was outside watching the house burn and smoking a cigarette.

Investigators said he doused his vehicle in gasoline and lit it on fire first, before doing the same to his home.

Police said the house has major water and smoke damage.

"The fire damage, there's no flames through the roof or anything, but the smoke damage is significant. And of course fire rescue puts it out with a lot of water and they use all the tactics they have to make it safe, so it is pretty damaged in my opinion," said Lt. Steve Mullen with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Fire rescue crews did have to save the family's dog that was inside when the fire started. The dog is OK but had minor injuries from smoke inhalation.

Police said Pelletier was mentally evaluated before he was charged with arson, attempted arson and animal cruelty.

Pelletier had been Baker Acted previously and was having trouble keeping a job, according to the police report.


About the Author:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.