Firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire at the Heritage Village Mobile Home Park shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023. The mobile home park is located at 12840 Seminole Boulevard. The fire involved Lot 65.
Multiple 911 calls were received regarding the fire and firefighters saw a large column of black smoke as they approached the mobile home park. Law enforcement from both the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Largo Police Department also noticed the smoke. While en route, they received information that the fire was set intentionally and the suspect and resident of the mobile home fled the scene. She was located and detained by a deputy from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Largo Police Department, there were no injuries, and no one was inside the location at the time of the fire. The detained woman was identified as 37-year-old Ashley Frye. She is now facing 1st degree arson charges.
She was seen leaving her residence located in the Mobile Home Park on foot, walking away while swinging her arms in an animated manner and verbally rambling.
Numerous witnesses provided sworn written statements attesting to hearing the defendant making statements as she walked away, saying she set the residence on fire. Each of the witnesses attested to observing smoke and flames billowing from the eastern portion of the residence as the defendant walked away.
After being read her Miranda rights, the defendant initially stated that she had not been in the mobile home park for an unknown period of time. However, later, when confronted with multiple witness statements about her walking away from the fire and commenting about burning it, she changed her story and stated she was singing “That Girl Is On Fire.”
According to arrest documentation, Frye appeared intoxicated, and witnesses observed her drinking vodka prior to the fire.