Seminole man charged with burglarizing home, setting it on fire

SEMINOLE (FOX 13) - A Seminole man has been accused of burglarizing a home, then setting it on fire, deputies say.

On Tuesday afternoon, the 52-year-old victim came home to find a fire inside. Seminole firefighters and Pinellas County deputies arrived at the home in the 8300 block of Flame Vince Avenue after 2:30 p.m. and found it in the laundry room. They said it was intentionally set, but caused minor damage.

When the fire was extinguished, the home appeared to have been burglarized, deputies said. The family dog, “Bailey,” and other valuables were missing. Luckily, Bailey was found uninjured later, and was inside the home when the fire started. It’s unclear where Bailey was located. 

Detectives said they found surveillance video showing 19-year-old Austin Lang knocking on the front door and then walking to the back of the home. About an hour later, he is seen walking down the driveway carrying suitcases and bags. 

He later admitted to the burglary and starting the fire, detectives said. They found stolen items in his home from other burglaries in the area. 

Lang was arrested for three counts of burglary and arson.