Arsonist most likely set Florida wildfires

An arsonist probably set most of the wildfires scorching central Florida, officials said Tuesday. The blazes flared up within hours of each another in various locations pointing to a deliberate act, Palm Bay Police Chief Bill Berger said. "People do this for fascination, for thrills ... the word is sick," he said, when asked why someone would deliberately set the fires.

Nearly 100 homes have been damaged or destroyed by wildfires that scorched 3,500-acres, but most of the flames are now contained, a fire marshal said Tuesday.

Nearly 1,200 tips about suspicious people and activity have flooded the police hotline, Berger said. Although six detectives are tracking down the tips, Berger said they have no solid leads on a suspect.

Palm Bay Mayor John Mazziotti said a $10,000 reward was in place for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for starting the fire.

"I think it's sick," Halie Vail, who had a neighbor lose a house, told CNN affiliate WFTV-TV. "I think they'll probably burn in hell. They created hell, they'll burn in hell for it.

Palm Bay Fire Marshal Mike Couture said teams going door to door have found damage ranging from burned fences to leveled homes.

While winds are expected to pick up in the afternoon, Couture said he hoped the situation would stabilize.

"We are praying that nothing continues to happen here," he said at the news conference.

Couture said so far no deaths had been reported from the wildfires.