Electrical problem may have caused Kriseman house fire

[Willie J. Allen Jr. | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG -- The early morning fire that destroyed the home of State Rep. Rick Kriseman at 6044 Third Ave. N Wednesday may have started because of some type of electrical discharge or short-circuit in the attic, city fire officials said.

Lt. Joel Granata of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue said investigators have been able to rule out foul play, and that initial investigation suggests that the fire started in the attic with some type of electrical cause. Because the house was destroyed, investigators will have to wait for the insurance company to send an electrical engineer before they can pin down a more exact cause of the fire.

Firefighters rescued the family's two Labrador retrievers, Henry and Maggie, from the burning home. The pets were admitted into an emergency animal clinic in critical condition and were transferred to a veterinary clinic in Treasure Island this morning.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Rick Feinberg said a dogsitter had left the house at 10:15 p.m Tuesday. More than two hours later, around 12:32 a.m., fire crews arrived to find the home's attic engulfed in flames. It took firefighters about 25 minutes to bring the blaze under control, Feinberg said.

Property records show the 3,567 square foot Lake Pasadena home was purchased by Kriseman and his wife Kerry. They have two children. The family had been vacationing in Virginia.

Outside Kriseman's district office in St. Petersburg this morning, his legislative aide said the family is racing back home to survey the damage.

"They're trying to put it in perspective," said Kevin King."Thank God it was just a house."

Early Wednesday, the smell of smoke wafted through the tranquil Lake Pasadena neighborhood. Some neighbors, just waking up after a noisy night filled with flames, sirens and lights, said they were relieved to hear the home was vacant.

"The heat," said neighbor Phil Deslandes, 58, gesturing toward his front yard, "you could feel it from here."

Fire investigators returned at daylight this morning, probing the gutted tan home for what may have caused the blaze. All of the home's doors were locked and no signs of forced entry were visible, Feinberg said.

Granata said the house is completely destroyed.

Kriseman represents Florida House District 53, which includes parts of Pinellas Park, Kenneth City, Lealman, Gulfport and St. Petersburg.

Check back with tampabay.com for more details as they become available.

-- Abhi Raghunathan, T. Allan Smith, Willie J. Allen and Casey Cora, Times staff writers

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[Photo: One of the Krisemans' Labrador retrievers is treated with oxygen. [Willie J. Allen Jr. | Times]