Accused arsonist helped fight fire

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Tony Elijah Barney helped try to put out a house fire early this morning on Sutherland Ave.

The problem, witnesses told deputies, is that they saw Barney leave the home while it was on fire.

Barney, 26, was arrested by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office on a charge of arson. He remains in the county jail today, held in lieu of $5,000 bail.

The fire occurred around 1:20 a.m., according to a sheriff's report, which offers no other details about the blaze. During an interview with deputies, the report said, Barney denied being near the home before the fire began. After he was read his rights the report said he also gave deputies several conflicting stories.

Barney's address is listed as 6521 Sutherland Ave. The fire was at 6520 Sutherland Ave.

-- Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer