Hospital room torched with oxygen tubes and lighter causing $2,000 in damages

ATLANTIS, Fla. (CBS12) — A hospital stay turned criminal on July 18 after a patient at JFK Medical Center allegedly started a fire inside his hospital room using oxygen tubes and a lighter.

According to a report from the Atlantis Police Department (APD), Joshua Phillip Hughes, 40, of Gainesville, was arrested for second-degree arson and criminal mischief. Officers say Hughes admitted to starting the fire but was unable to explain his motives.

Hospital staff alerted authorities after discovering scorched bed sheets, damaged floorboards, and burn marks on medical monitoring equipment. Security personnel located the burned oxygen tubing in the room’s trash bin. Photos were taken, and the evidence was logged by investigators…

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