Coquina Key House Fire: What We Know So Far

A St. Petersburg house fire in the Coquina Key area left one 18-year-old woman dead and sent two others to the hospital, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and local reporting.

Fire crews responded around 3:30 a.m. and found a single-story home engulfed in heavy flames with four people still inside, according to officials. An adult woman suffered serious injuries, while a 17-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. A 10-year-old girl was also evaluated and was reported unharmed.

Officials said the fire was extinguished within about 30 minutes. Investigators later determined the blaze was suspicious and treated the case as a criminal investigation, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and reporting on police statements. Police also said the fire was intentionally set and that investigators were searching for the arsonist.

Later reporting said police identified a suspect and arrested an 18-year-old neighbor, who was charged with felony murder and attempted felony murder in connection with the fire.

The response involved St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and St. Petersburg Police, indicating both an emergency suppression effort and an active criminal investigation. A fire of this type typically draws multiple units because crews must attack the flames while also checking for occupants and preserving the scene for investigators.

Dispatch records show 20,255 similar structure fire incidents in the past six months, though no prior incidents at this exact address were included in the available records.

Officials have not yet released additional details on the cause beyond the suspicious-fire finding, and the police investigation remains active. More updates are expected as investigators continue reviewing the scene and any related evidence.

Day.News will continue to update this story as officials release more information.

Related: Structure Fire Draws Emergency Response to 5155 Coquina Key Dr SE in Saint Petersburg