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Man dies in house fire, woman charged with arson

Posted at 1:57 PM, Feb 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-26 13:57:26-05

A woman has been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a deadly house fire in Fellsmere, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.

The blaze happened February 15 at 10385 130th Avenue. 

82-year-old Alonzo Sharp, who was rescued by a friend, was badly burned and died last night at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Orlando, the sheriff's office said.

Also injured in the fire was 52-year-old Billie Ann Lieberman who suffered smoke inhalation and received burns to her hands and face, officials said.

The sheriff's office and State Fire Marshal blame Lieberman for the fire but investigators did not reveal what led them to that conclusion.

"Mr. Sharp lost his life because of the actions of Billie Ann Lieberman. It's a senseless tragedy and we are glad that she is behind bars today where she belongs," Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a news release.

Lieberman faces charges of arson and arson resulting in great bodily harm and is being held on a $1 million bond.

Detectives say they expect other charges to be filed.