UPDATE 3:32 p.m.:
San Carlos Park Fire reached out to Fox 4 and said the fire report released was done out of error.
We obtained the report through a public records request and were given the report on Wednesday morning. On May 23, the records department said the report was still being completed and "once reviewed by the fire chief" they would send it to us in response to our records request.
In a statement to Fox 4 on May 28, the spokesperson of San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue said:
San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service District inadvertently released a preliminary incident report on the fire that occurred at 17280 Caloosa Trace Circle on Wednesday, May 21st. At the time of its initial release, the report had not been verified by the Assistant Chief and included unsubstantiated information.
We sincerely apologize for this unfortunate error on our part and will work to better our practices in the future. Please see attached, the verified and accurate fire incident report, for the fire in question.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, who is the lead investigator on all fires where a death occurs. When the official report from the State Fire Marshal’s Office is released, we will share the information.
The agency provided a new fire report to Fox 4. It says the heat source and cause of the fire are "undetermined." In the previous report, it said the cause was intentional and had cited a heat source.
The report now says there are no human factors contributing to the ignition.
Additionally, the new report states it cannot determine McCarty's location or general location at the time of the fire. The report only states the "Alpha Bravo" side of the home.
However, it is confirmed that the fire started in the "vehicle storage area; garage; carport."
ORIGINAL STORY:
Documents obtained by Fox 4 say the San Carlos Park house fire that killed South Trail firefighter Michael McCarty was intentionally set.
In the documents, it says a firefighter found McCarty's body sitting in a chair in the house.
First responders received the call at 11:21 a.m on May 21 for a structure fire on Caloosa Trace Circle.
Fire investigators say his body was found in the garage, where the fire started.
Investigators determined the source of the fire was a "blasting agent, primer cord, black powder fuse." They could not determine what item first ignited or the type of material.
However, documents say the cause is intentional.
In the paperwork obtained by Fox 4, it says human factors contributing to the ignition include "possibly impaired by alcohol or drugs." However, his cause of death has not been released.
South Trail Fire mentioned the importance of mental health in a statement released the day after the fire.
"We also want to take this moment to emphasize the importance of mental health wellness, especially within the first responder community. We urge anyone who is struggling to reach out, and all of us to reach in to check on each other," the statement said.
McCarty started at the fire department on July 11, 2002. He was also employed with Upper Captiva Fire.
The firefighter started his career with the City of Fort Myers Fire Department from September 2000-July 2002. McCarty was also a Marine veteran.
