Nineteen arsons have occurred in the V.M. Ybor and East Ybor neighborhoods in the past year. Nearly all of the homes were vacant when the fires were started. Four of the homes were occupied. Most were north of Interstate 4, but the most recent fire, the nineteenth, was south of the interstate.
An arson task force was recently formed, including Tampa firefighters, police officers, and officials from the Fire Marshal's Office.
