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August 31, 2007
Arson Suspected In Crab Hut Blaze
Topics: NewsTAMPA - A business once operated by a now-convicted child killer burned early Tuesday in what investigators call arson.
Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said fire marshals would not elaborate on the cause of the fire at the former Crab Hut at 1002 S. Bermuda Blvd., in Palmetto Beach. Marshals spoke to witnesses and determined the blaze was deliberately set, he said.
The fire erupted about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on the dock and vacant building and took about 20 minutes to extinguish, Wade said. The blaze caused about $25,000 in property damage, he said.
The building had no electricity, and a fence had secured the property, Wade said. The property is owned by Lorraine Carrillo of Valrico, who told investigators it was not insured, Wade said.
Commercial crab fisherman Willie Crain, convicted in the 1998 death of 7-year-old Amanda Brown, operated a business from the property. He and his brother sold their catch at the Crab Hut when authorities arrested Crain in the child's disappearance.
Crain, 61, has been on death row since 1999.
Amanda's body has never been found. Prosecutors said Crain probably threw Amanda's body into Old Tampa Bay.
Last year, Amanda's father and stepmother said they do not expect Crain to see execution. He has colon cancer.
Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.
Posted by admin at August 31, 2007 6:45 AM
