By Robbyn Mitchell, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, December 30, 2010
CARROLLWOOD — Firefighters and deputies found a gruesome scene behind a blazing home Thursday night.
James Harris, 53, was found dead in the back yard after his house at 4139 Rolling Springs Drive burned down, according the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
He apparently used an accelerant to set the house on fire, then went into the yard and shot himself, according to Debbie Carter, a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
Flames had fully engulfed the home when Hillsborough Fire Rescue arrived around 7:30 p.m.
"It was so big that no one could get near it," Carter said.
Family later arrived on scene. No one was found in the home, where Harris lived alone. Carter said it was a total loss.