Authorities say a man started a fire early Monday in a closet within a north Tampa apartment where his girlfriend and blind uncle were sleeping.
Lester George Jr., 31, was charged with first degree arson, culpable negligance and abuse of a disabled adult after firefighters put out the fire at the Ashford Apartments, 10610 N 30th St. No one was injured.
Crews were called to the scene around 7:45 a.m., and investigators say Leser later admitted to setting clothes on fire while his girlfriend and handicapped uncle were in the next room sleeping.
The girlfriend and uncle escaped before firefighters arrived.