Man facing arson charge after starting a fire in a Charlotte County park gazebo

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
John Baldwin (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)

An Englewood man has been arrested for starting a fire inside a gazebo at a park in Charlotte County.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies say John Baldwin, 76, started a fire inside a gazebo in the Grove City Walking Park. Deputies say they received a call from a man living nearby who saw Baldwin starting the fire.

According to deputies, the man who called about the fire confronted Baldwin and told him he could not start a fire in the gazebo and began knocking down the fire. Deputies say there was a brief argument before Baldwin walked away.

Deputies found Baldwin and informed him of the dangers of starting a fire in an area that wasn’t designated for them. Baldwin was then arrested and is facing an arson charge.

The deputy on scene estimated the damage to the gazebo and surrounding area from the fire to be around $2,500.

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