HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The smell of fire still filled the air Monday night in a newer Homestead neighborhood after an early morning fire on Sunday.
“No, we actually never have any issues here, honestly,” said neighbor David Santos. “This would be the first issue I’ve heard of here, especially arson.”
The charred concrete of the home is blocked off by yellow caution tape.
Homestead police officers were called to the home around 2 a.m. Sunday.
Shortly after they got there, they said the house became engulfed in flames.
Fire marshals determined the house was set on fire intentionally, and police have since arrested Martin Perez, who appeared in court twice on Monday.
Perez’s daughter, Joycelyn, shared photos of the damage to her home in a GoFundMe post. The single mom also says her dog died in the fire.
Neighbors are still in shock, left wondering why Perez would do this to his daughter’s home.
“It is crazy,” said Santos. “Initially I was worried because I thought it was the builder’s fault, but I guess not.”
Perez is expected back in court on Tuesday. He’s being held behind bars without bond.
Perez is also facing a charge of domestic battery on a pregnant woman and Local 10 News is working to learn more about that.
