On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a house fire at 128 N.W. Michelle Place, Lake City, FL at approximately 4:30 a.m.
Deputies made contact with a resident at the home. The victim told deputies that her live-in boyfriend poured gasoline on the outside of their bedroom window and lit it on fire. The victim was lying on a bed directly beneath the window. Seeing the fire, the victim tried to exit the home. The suspect was holding the door shut, attempting to prevent the victim from escaping the fire. The victim was able to push her way out of home and warn the other residents that the home was on fire.
The suspect fled from the scene and is being sought by law enforcement. The victim received minor injuries to her leg while trying to escape the home. The Florida State Fire Marshal is assisting the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation. An estimate of the damage to the home is not known at this time.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., Beasley was seen near Interstate 10 and U.S. Hwy 41. Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office searched for several hours in the area but were not able to locate Beasley. Deputies were assisted by K-9 units from the Florida Department of Corrections, Deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and an aviation asset from the Florida Army National Guard.
Later this same afternoon, Burton Beasley emerged from the area he was hiding in and made contact with a local business. Mr. Beasley was complaining of chest pains and asked that 911 be called. After being medically evaluated, Beasley was arrested and transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility.
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