A late-night house fire has resulted in the arrest of a Lake City man on charges of arson and attempted murder. Police say the blaze was intentionally set while the homeowner was still inside the building.
The incident began on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, around 1:04 a.m. Officers from the Lake City Police Department arrived at 324 SE Colburn Avenue to find heavy black smoke pouring out of the house. The homeowner told officers at the scene that her ex-boyfriend, Marvin Roberts, was believed to be trapped somewhere on the property.
Firefighters from the Lake City Fire Department managed to knock down the flames inside the home. During a sweep of the property, they found Roberts hiding in a storage shed behind the house. He was treated by Columbia County EMS before being taken to HCA Florida Lake City Hospital.
The fire raised immediate red flags for investigators.
Teams from the police department and the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives joined forces to examine the wreckage. They discovered two separate points of origin inside the residence, both containing evidence that accelerants were used to fuel the fire.
The investigation concluded that the fires were set deliberately. Based on the findings, authorities established probable cause that Roberts started the fires while the homeowner was inside.
Roberts now faces charges of Arson of an Occupied Dwelling and Attempted Felony Murder. He has since been booked into the Columbia County Detention Center.
“Our officers and fire personnel responded quickly to a dangerous situation involving an intentionally set fire in an occupied home,” Chief Gerald Butler said in a statement on Friday. “Their coordinated response ensured the safety of the victim and allowed investigators to quickly determine the cause of the fire.”
Police are still processing evidence and asking anyone with further information to contact the Lake City Police Department at (386) 752-4343 or call the Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.
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