Woman Charged in 'Suspicious' Dunedin House Fire

A Dunedin woman is charged in connection with an early morning blaze that injured a firefighter, authorities report.

Colleen Marie Huber, 57, of 1965 Sourwood Blvd., was arrested June 18 and charged with first-degree arson, a felony.

Huber was alone June 11 at her Ravenwood Manor home when she allegedly ignited her husband's mattress and comforter using a Bic lighter to set it ablaze at 8:18 a.m., Pinellas County Sheriff's arson investigators report in arrest records. 

Huber and her husband reportedly sleep in different bedrooms.

The mattress became fully engulfed, and fire quickly moved up the wall behind the bed and the window blinds all the way into the attic, where it burned a hole through the roof, investigators report. Dunedin firefighters, who arrived at 8:23 a.m., reported seeing flames shooting from the front bedroom windows when they arrived.

Arson investigators say fire destroyed the entire bedroom, including the dresser night stands, TV and other items. They believe the one-story home, valued at $111,000, may have also been completely destroyed, but a final determination falls to the insurance company. 

Huber escaped to the backyard, where deputies detained her under the Baker Act as the house burned, arrest records indicate. Deputies say Huber had to be physically restrained and removed from the area. 

Fire Rescue crews from the Dunedin, Clearwater and Palm Harbor took 20 minutes to get the blaze under control.

Huber had to be taken for treatment to Mease Dunedin Hospital, at which time, she reportedly disclosed to a Sunstar paramedic that she set fire to the 38-year-old house, arrest records say.

The Dunedin firefighter was treated on the scene for minor burn injuries and later released, according to fire officials.

A neighbor was evaluated for smoke inhalation and released by paramedics on scene. Two dogs and three birds were also rescued.

• UPDATE: 'Suspicious' Fire Investigated at Dunedin Home