Police: Florida man intentionally set fire to his home with his children inside

A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly intentionally set fire to his home in Plant City while his four children were inside, authorities said. 

Plant City Fire Department and Police Department responded to calls reporting a fire on Michener Place and Steinbeck Place in Plant City at around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Fire crews eventually extinguished the fire. 

When the fire broke out, Wade Oliver, 31, Ashley R. Cookson, 29, and their four children, aged 5 months to 9 years old, were inside the home. They were all transported to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation. They were all subsequently released. 

A subsequent investigation conducted by the Plant City Police and the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives, however, found that the fire had been intentionally set in the garage. Several Molotov cocktails were also found inside the home.  

“The actions of both Wade Oliver and Ashleigh Cookson surrounding this incident placed the children in danger,” the Plant City Police Department said.

Oliver was charged with two counts of firebombing, arson, and child neglect, as well as possession of a controlled substance—identified as methamphetamine, reported Fox News. He was transported to Falkenburg Road jail. His bond is set at $23,000. 

Cookson was charged with one count of child neglect. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond. 

The children were placed in the custody of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Child Protective Investigation Division. 

Police continue to investigate the incident, according to the Plant City Police Department.