CRESTVIEW — The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is treating a 1208 E. Chestnut Ave. house trailer's blaze as arson.
A Jan. 31 fire badly damaged the house trailer, which has been at the center of controversy since 92 cats were removed from it Jan. 5.
Next-door neighbor Kimberly Mathis said she called authorities after she saw “two men with flashlights” on the property.
Its owner, Jerry Matt McCallum, was taken into custody shortly before 5 p.m. that day on eight charges, including five for felony cruelty to animals and a charge of felony violation of probation. Felicia Guy also lived in trailer. A warrant for her arrest also was issued for felony and misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges.
The trailer, a small shed behind it and two vehicles on the property were damaged, according to reports. A large shed at the front of the property was not damaged.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fire damages Crestview house trailer; arson suspected