US | Florida Arsonist May Have Set Fla. Fires Gov declares state of emergency, promises harsh consequences By Nick McMaster Posted May 13, 2008 4:53 PM CDT Copied Firefighters battle a fire at the Babcock road in Palm Bay, Fl., Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (AP Photo/ Florida Today, Amanda Stratford) Fires that have raged across Florida over the last 2 days may have been deliberately set, Gov. Charlie Crist said today. Investigators have pointed to the fact that many of the blazes in different places sprang up at once as evidence of arson, CNN reports. Almost 100 homes have been damaged by the fires, which authorities say are now mostly contained. Crist promised swift justice for the arsonist, if apprehended: "That's why we have jail," he said at a news conference. "To lock people like that up for a very long time." Read These Next For first time, SCOTUS is asked to overturn gay marriage ruling. It's a survival story fit for a sea shanty. Got grandkids? You may want to set up a secret code with them. White House plans sweeping checks of Smithsonian exhibits. Report an error