JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested a man they say intentionally started a fire at Westside apartments in January.
Neal Wilkins, 38, was charged with first degree arson, stemming from a fire that occurred Jan. 17 around 9:30 p.m. Witnesses exited the fire safely, the report said.
According to an arrest report, officers were informed by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department that a fire at 5200 Playpen Drive was an arson after it was controlled.
A neighbor said he smelled gasoline, the report said.
A detective with the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Arson and Explosive Investigations said a K9 "gave a positive identification hit on multiple areas for an accelerant," according to the report.
Another witness said Wilkins lived at the complex.
Wilkins was arrested during a traffic stop on Myrtle Avenue Tuesday, police said.
