Man accused of setting Treetops Drive condo on fire in Collier County

A man was arrested on Thursday after deputies say he set a Treetops Drive condominium on fire in Collier County, seriously injuring a woman and killing a dog.

According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, 40-year-old Patrick Barrett was arrested in connection with the Wednesday night fire. Surveillance video captured him setting the fire with a blowtorch and then running away.

Deputies, along with fire units, responded to the blaze in the 5200 block of Treetops Drive. One person was inside when the fire began. She told detectives she was sleeping when she awoke to noises outside and the smell of smoke inside. She said she had to break her bedroom window to escape because the house was engulfed in flames.

The woman received first- and second-degree burns to 10% of her body and was transported to a local hospital. She was later transferred to a burn center where she underwent surgery for her injuries.

Two dogs were also inside the residence, and one of them died. The animal received burns and showed signs of smoke inhalation.

A resident told detectives he came home to find his house on fire and Barrett running from the scene. Detectives collected video from the resident that shows Barrett entering the porch area, picking up a bottle of paint thinner and then pouring it all over the porch. Barrett then uses a propane torch to ignite the liquid before running away. Within minutes, flames can be seen spreading through the lanai.

Deputies had responded to the street on two separate occasions earlier in the day for disturbances involving residents and Barrett. He said Barrett threatened his life during the second incident because he refused to give Barrett money to buy drugs.

After the fire was reported, Barrett was arrested for criminal mischief after he was captured on security video throwing a flat-screen TV through a car windshield at the Racetrac at Barefoot Williams Road and US-41 East.

Barrett faces charges of arson to an occupied dwelling, arson causing great bodily injury, and cruelty to animals.