A Marion County man has been arrested and charged with arson after he allegedly set his home on fire in an attempt to get rid of squirrels.
On Thursday, January 1, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a residence located on SE 156th Avenue in Ocklawaha to assist Marion County firefighters with a possible arson investigation. Upon arrival, the deputy observed that the blaze had “completely destroyed” the home, according to the arrest report.
The deputy made contact with a man, identified as 41-year-old Daniel Jose Rodriguez, who advised that he was “having a bad day.” The report stated that he then admitted to “intentionally start(ing) the fire.”…