Man charged with murder after fire trapped and killed 3 people, 5 dogs

A Florida man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, animal cruelty and arson after a house fire near Plant City, Hillsborough County, killed four people and three dogs on Wednesday morning.

Shawn Gossett, 25, was arrested and charged following a quick investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say Gossett, who lived in the home, used a Bic lighter to light paper towels, setting the home on fire.

The incident began just after midnight when Hillsborough County 911 dispatchers received a call reporting smoke and flames, saying the occupants were trapped inside the burning home on South County Line Road. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 12:09 p.m. and found the house fully engulfed in flames. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to save the four people inside.

Firefighters reported finding three victims in one side of the home and pulled them out of a bedroom window. The fourth victim was later found in another section of the house. All four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, along with three of the five dogs.

“This is a completely senseless and horrific crime in which four innocent lives were tragically taken because of the evil actions of this man,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. “I want to commend our detectives and our partners at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue for their quick actions that led to the arrest of this individual and their tireless efforts to ensure that justice is served.”

During a news conference, Hillsborough Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said Gossett confessed to setting the fire, although no motive was known. Gossett, who was not injured, had been a friend of the family and lived with them at the residence, authorities said.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Fire Marshal’s Office to identify the victims. Property records indicate the main building on the 3.85-acre property is a two-bedroom manufactured home built in 1994, purchased by Edison Arias in 2020.

Shaun Michael Martinez, a friend of the victims, spoke to ABC Action News about his last encounter with two of the victims, just a day before the fire, when they asked him for help with their car.

“I’m here so I can respect them, because they’re like family to me,” Martinez said at the scene. “I know how they feel because I lost my brother-in-law, niece and nephew in a fire a year ago. I know it’s really hard for them. So if their family members need anything, we’re here to help .”

Have a story we should cover? Have questions about this article? Contact[email protected].