Hastings resident arrested and charged with arson

Examination of the Hastings structure fire reported by Historic City News yesterday has already yielded one arrest; as the investigation continues.

By 6:30 p.m. last night, 24 year-old Hastings resident Tafaria Breron Baker was in custody and charged with arson.

Jeremy Robshaw, Public Information Officer with St. Johns County Fire Rescue, reported that the house was “heavily involved” with fire when units arrived on the scene at Ashland Avenue yesterday afternoon.

“People inside the home were evacuated before units arrived,” Robshaw said. No injuries were reported.

Details surrounding how the fire started and the extent of the damage have not been released.
Baker, who resides at 408 Green End Lane in Hastings, is being held in the St. Johns County Detention Facility in St. Augustine in lieu of $15,000 bond.