LAKELAND, FL – A 69-year-old man is facing five counts of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly setting fire to his home with five roommates inside, authorities reported.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the sequence of events started just after 3 a.m. on May 15. Eddie Thomas approached a roommate, requesting a ride and, later, jumper cables. The roommate declined both requests and observed Thomas holding a plastic milk jug with an unspecified liquid.
Moments later, the roommate detected the odor of gasoline and heard an explosion. When he opened his door, he was met with flames consuming the hallway.
In a desperate effort to evade the encroaching fire, all five roommates struggled to escape. The initial roommate, who relies on a walker, fell while attempting to reach the door, necessitating a crawl to safety and suffering burns to his hands and feet, the sheriff’s office reported. Another roommate awakened to cries of “fire” in the house and was forced to escape through his bedroom window as flames blocked his exit.
A third housemate, who also attempted to flee through the front door, stumbled over another individual. Meanwhile, another resident was unable to provide a statement due to undergoing emergency surgery for injuries incurred.
One of the roommates recounted seeing Thomas inside the house around the time of the fire. He reported suspicions when he heard liquids splashing, smelled kerosene, and heard a noise resembling the ignition of a fire. Outside, he saw a line of flames extending from the home to the yard.
Witnesses informed investigators that they saw Thomas fleeing in a red truck. At the scene, authorities identified six spots where the fire possibly started or was sped up. The property was destroyed completely.
Sheriff Grady Judd denounced Thomas’s actions in a statement, calling the act “deliberate” and “dangerous.” He commended detectives for apprehending Thomas, ensuring that justice would be pursued. Thomas, known for a lengthy criminal record since 1975, including 18 felony convictions and being a registered sex offender since 2008, now faces an arson charge in addition to the attempted murder counts.
The landlord confirmed to authorities that an eviction notice had been served to Thomas, urging him to vacate by May 20. This order came after his failure to pay rent, said the sheriff’s office.
Thomas remains in custody as the investigation continues, casting light on the harrowing experience of the survivors of this abrupt, life-threatening ordeal.