RSW Fire Report

DFS Division of Investigative & Forensic Services
Origin and Cause - BFAEI BFAEI20-952/1

Report Date: 04/06/2020
Warning
Contains entities exempt from disclosure
Primary Information
Description: Multiple vehicles - 11000 Terminal Access Dr, Fort Myers
Reporting LEO: Quick, Lee (00100 / Ft. Myers / Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Inv.)
Report Status: Approved
Report Status Date: 07/07/2020
Approved By: Minervini, Joseph A. (00019 / DIFS Bureau of Fire Arson Explosives Invest)
Cause Of Fire: ACCIDENTAL
Injuries/Fatalities: None
Property Information
Property Description: 3991 Vehicles
Property Use: Mobile Property (vehicle, boat, etc.)
Mobile: Yes
Mobile Property Type: Pass Automobile, taxi, limo, ambulance, van
Single/Multi Story: Not Applicable
Estimated Loss: $99,999,999.00
Type Of Insurance: Blanket Ins. Coverage
Physical Evidence Information

Photo: Yes
Sketch: Yes
Debris: No
Latent Prints: No
Impression: No
Documents: No
Other Evidence: No
Description/Collection From
Photographs archived with the Bureau of Forensic Fire & Explosives Analysis lab.
All other video, audio, and non BFAEI photos copied to DVD for case file.
Fire Origin Information

Area/Origin Description
Vehicle - exterior exposed surface Ignition of grass
Agency Reference Numbers

Agency Case/File Number
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 1 of 15

Agency Reference Numbers - Continued

Agency Case/File Number
Lee County Port Authority Police Dept 2020000013237
Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosive Investigation DFS620OFF000099
Lee County Port Authority Fire Department 2020000000460
Insurance Information
Comments: Each company had various companies for liability coverage.
Address #1 - FIRE SCENE #1 - 11000 Terminal Access Rd

Primary Information
Address: 11000 Terminal Access Rd SOUTHWEST REGIONAL AIRPORT, Fort Myers, FLORIDA 33913 United States of America
Description: SOUTHWEST REGIONAL AIRPORT
Office: Ft. Myers
Region: South Central
Subject #1 - Other #1 - EDS Service Solutions

Primary Information
Subject Name: EDS Service Solutions
Record Type: BUSINESS
Juvenile: No
Addresses
Relationship Address
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 400 Galleria Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GEORGIA 30339 United States of America
Subject #2 - OWNER/VICTIM #1 - Avis-Budget Group

Primary Information
Subject Name: Avis-Budget Group
Juvenile: No
Telephones / E-Addresses
Relationship Number/E-Address
PERMANENT/BUSINESS (305) 341-0919 (BUSINESS)
Subject #3 - OWNER/VICTIM #2 - ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS

Primary Information
Subject Name: ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS
Juvenile: No
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 2 of 15

Subject #4 - OWNER/VICTIM #3 - The Hertz Corporation

Primary Information
Subject Name: The Hertz Corporation
Juvenile: No
Subject #5 - Company Official #1 - Bennett, Scott

Primary Information
Subject Name: Bennett, Scott
Record Type: CONTACT
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 17230 Ashcomb Way, Estero, FLORIDA 33928 United States of America
EMPLOYER/ WORK (937) 414-0274 (BUSINESS)
Subject #6 - Company Official #2 - Cavanaugh, John

Primary Information
Subject Name: Cavanaugh, John
Rank/Position: Private Fire Investigator
Juvenile: No
CELLULAR NUMBER (585) 317-0855 (CELLULAR)
Subject #7 - Company Official #3 - Cole, Matthew

Primary Information
Subject Name: Cole, Matthew
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 2628 Port Industrial Dr #706, Jacksonville, FLORIDA 32226 United States of America
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 3 of 15

Subject #8 - Company Official #4 - Merhar, Hilton

Primary Information
Subject Name: Merhar, Hilton
Rank/Position: Fleet Logistics Manager
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 10999 Terminal Access Rd, Fort Myers, FLORIDA 33913 United States of America
Subject #9 - Company Official #5 - Moylan, William T "Bumper"

Primary Information
Subject Name: Moylan, William T "Bumper"
Rank/Position: Private Fire Investigator C.F.I., C.F.E.I.
Juvenile: No
EMPLOYER/ WORK (813) 814-1716 (FAX MACHINE)
Subject #10 - Company Official #6 - Peterson II, Richard A

Primary Information
Subject Name: Peterson II, Richard A
Rank/Position: Private Fire Investigator
Juvenile: No
EMPLOYER/ WORK (888) 771-0591
Subject #11 - Company Official #7 - Severance, Michael

Primary Information
Subject Name: Severance, Michael
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 4 of 15

Subject #11 - Company Official #7 - Severance, Michael - Continued

Primary Information - Continued
Rank/Position: VP RAC Fleet America - Hertz
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 8501 Williams Rd, Estero, FLORIDA 33928 United States of America
Subject #12 - Company Official #8 - Spedale, Cole

Primary Information
Subject Name: Spedale, Cole
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 10999 Terminal Access Rd, Fort Myers, FLORIDA 33913 United States of America
Subject #13 - COMPANY REPR #1 - Botello, Griselda

Primary Information
Subject Name: Botello, Griselda
Juvenile: No
Subject #14 - COMPANY REPR #2 - Encalda, Andrea Arturo

Primary Information
Subject Name: Encalda, Andrea Arturo
Juvenile: No
Subject #15 - COMPANY REPR #3 - Smith, David H

Primary Information
Subject Name: Smith, David H
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 325 Waters Bend Way, Atlanta, GEORGIA 30022 United States of America
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 5 of 15

Subject #15 - COMPANY REPR #3 - Smith, David H - Continued

Subject #16 - COMPANY REPR #4 - Spitler, Mitchell

Primary Information
Subject Name: Spitler, Mitchell
Juvenile: No
Addresses
PERMANENT/BUSINESS 105 Cardinal Ct, Dothan, ALABAMA 36303 United States of America
Subject #17 - Fire Service #1 - Steffens, Ed

Primary Information
Exempt From Disclosure: YES
Subject Name: Steffens, Ed
Record Type: FIRE SERVICE OFFICIAL
Bio: WHITE, MALE
Rank/Position: Battalion Chief
Juvenile: No
Subject #18 - Law Enforcement #1 - Blank, Matthew

Primary Information
Exempt From Disclosure: YES
Subject Name: Blank, Matthew
Record Type: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
Rank/Position: Sergeant
Juvenile: No
Subject #19 - Company Official #1 - KERR, DENNIS

Primary Information
Subject Name: KERR, DENNIS
Record Type: PERSON
Bio: WHITE, MALE
Juvenile: No
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 6 of 15

Subject #20 - WITNESS #1 - Alicea, Miguel Angel

Primary Information
Subject Name: Alicea, Miguel Angel
Record Type: PERSON
Bio: 40 yr. old, HISPANIC, MALE
Birth Date: 03/28/1980
Juvenile: No
Place Of Birth State: NEW YORK
Place Of Birth Country: United States of America
Residence Status: RENT/LEASE
Residence Type: COUNTY
Personal Information
US Citizen: Yes
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 9213 Aegean Cir, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33936 United States of America
Subject #21 - WITNESS #2 - Gonzalez, Jordan Christin

Primary Information
Subject Name: Gonzalez, Jordan Christin
Record Type: PERSON
Juvenile: No
Place Of Birth State: FLORIDA
Residence Status: PERMANENT
US Citizen: Yes
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 7 of 15

Subject #21 - WITNESS #2 - Gonzalez, Jordan Christin - Continued

Addresses - Continued
HOME/LOCAL 639 SE 13Th Ave #122, Cape Coral, FLORIDA 33990 United States of America
Subject #22 - WITNESS #3 - Hardwick, Lil Hollis

Primary Information
Subject Name: Hardwick, Lil Hollis
Record Type: PERSON
Bio: 21 yr. old, BLACK, MALE
Juvenile: No
Place Of Birth State: FLORIDA
US Citizen: Yes
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 733 Jack Ave S, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33973 United States of America
Subject #23 - WITNESS #4 - Hernandez Campos, Erik

Primary Information
Subject Name: Hernandez Campos, Erik
Record Type: PERSON
Juvenile: No
Place Of Birth Country: Cuba
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 1213 Barnsdale St, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33936 United States of America
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 8 of 15

Subject #24 - WITNESS #5 - Hernandez, Evelio

Primary Information
Subject Name: Hernandez, Evelio
Record Type: PERSON
Juvenile: No
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 1145 Navajo Ave, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33936 United States of America
Subject #25 - WITNESS #6 - Moreira Perez, Yoslan

Primary Information
Subject Name: Moreira Perez, Yoslan
Record Type: PERSON
Juvenile: No
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 3010 39Th St SW, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33976 United States of America
Subject #26 - WITNESS #7 - Pelaez Labrada, Sandro

Primary Information
Subject Name: Pelaez Labrada, Sandro
Record Type: PERSON
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 9 of 15

Subject #26 - WITNESS #7 - Pelaez Labrada, Sandro - Continued

Juvenile: No
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 3817 19Th St SW, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33976 United States of America
Subject #27 - WITNESS #8 - Picart Luzanaris, Ana Ivette

Primary Information
Subject Name: Picart Luzanaris, Ana Ivette
Record Type: PERSON
Bio: 54 yr. old, HISPANIC, FEMALE
Juvenile: No
Place Of Birth Country: Puerto Rico
US Citizen: Yes
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 2604 9Th St E, Lehigh Acres, FLORIDA 33972 United States of America
Subject #28 - WITNESS #9 - Portalatin, Nelson Edsel

Primary Information
Subject Name: Portalatin, Nelson Edsel
Record Type: PERSON
Bio: 29 yr. old, OTHER, MALE
Juvenile: No
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 10 of 15

Subject #28 - WITNESS #9 - Portalatin, Nelson Edsel - Continued

Place Of Birth State: MASSACHUSETTS
US Citizen: Yes
Photo: Yes
Deceased: No
Addresses
HOME/LOCAL 4974 Viceroy Ct, Cape Coral, FLORIDA 33904 United States of America
Narrative
State of Florida
Department of Financial Services
Division of Investigative and Forensic Services
Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations
Origin and Cause Report
CASE NUMBER:
20-952/1
FHP CAD # DFS620OFF000099
SYNOPSIS
On 04/03/2020, the Lee County Port Authority Fire Department (LCPAFD) responded to a fire at the Southwest Florida International
Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, FL. They received a call of a fire in an overflow rental car parking area on the south side of Terminal
Access Dr. Upon arrival, they encountered multiple vehicles on fire. A multi-agency response had to assist with suppression and
the Arson Task Force was activated because of the multi-agency response. I was contacted by Arson Task Force Investigator Ed
Steffens and informed of the incident. Due to the task force activation, the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations
(BFAEI) was requested to assist in determining the origin & cause of the fire. I responded as the lead investigator for BFAEI.
PARTICIPATING BFAEI FIRE INVESTIGATORS: None
WITNESS REPORTS:
Fire Discovery: Miguel Alicea (DOB 03/28/1980), an employee of Hertz, observed smoke under the vehicles that had
been shuttled to the field just recently. Jordan Gonzalez (DOB 10/08/1992), an employee of EDS Service Solutions, was standing with
Alicea. Gonzalez called 911 from his cell phone.
First Arriving Official(s): Lee County Port Authority Police Department Officer Ross
Fire Suppression: Contact LCPA Fire Department for their report of
suppression activities.
SCENE DESCRIPTION
The general location is a large open field on the south side of the Southwest Florida International Airport located at 11000 Terminal
Access Rd, Fort Myers, FL. The fire scene consisted of 3,991 vehicles which were either destroyed or damaged. The approximate
loss exceeds $100,000,000.00.
FIRE SCENE EXAMINATION
A comprehensive scene examination was conducted in accordance with the recommended guidelines outlined in NFPA 921 – Guide
for Fire and Explosion Investigations (2017 Edition). A systematic approach was used; examination progressed from outside to
inside and from areas suspected of having the least damage to areas of greater damage with emphasis on recognition, identification,
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 11 of 15

Narrative - Continued
and analysis of fire and heat patterns.
The fire scene was examined and photographed with my issued Canon EOS 70D digital camera.
EXTERIOR OBSERVATION:
Because the fire scene covered several acres of property and thousands of vehicles, I moved through the various sections of
vehicles and documented the scene with photographs. The damage was severe, and I saw no particular area that I could determine
as the area of the fire origin.
INTERIOR OBSERVATION:
I did not conduct an interior examination because I was unable to isolate a single vehicle as a possible source of the fire.
I began looking at various hypothesizes for the cause of the fire:
Lightning strike – A review of weather data showed no adverse weather conditions in the area eliminating the possibility of a
lightning strike causing the fire.
Careless smoking – I did not see any discarded smoking products or any evidence of smoking related materials around the vehicles.
Careless smoking was eliminated as a possible cause of the fire.
Ignition of dry grass – I looked at several clumps of grass a few feet to the north of the origin area. Measurements of several clumps
ranged from 8 inches to 1.2 foot. Although the height of the grass under the cars prior to the fire couldn't be measured, the nearby
clumps of grass were likely representative of the length of the grass in the area at the time of the fire. I researched the heat
generated by exhaust systems of vehicles and found that temperature ranges were sufficient for ignition of the grass. Ignition
caused by the grass contacting a heat source could not be eliminated as a possible cause of the fire.
Vehicle Malfunction – Several days after the fire I talked with various drivers who were shuttling the cars. No vehicle malfunctions
were reported. Vehicle malfunctions were unlikely a cause of the fire.
Arson – There were 13 workers around the origin area shuttling vehicles to the lot. There was no evidence to support or suggest that
any of those workers ignited a fire intentionally.
Initially, I was unable to determine an area of origin or cause of the fire because of the extensive damage. I began talking with
persons in the area. I spoke with Miguel Alicea, Hertz employee, who was in the field at the time of the fire. Alicea took an 11-second
video when the smoke was first discovered. He advised that vehicles were being shuttled into the field from the main rental area.
Roughly 130 cars were being moved to the area and parked bumper to bumper. All the vehicles were parked in the same manner
throughout the lot. Alicea observed the fire start low amongst several vehicles that were just parked. Alicea provided a copy of the
video he had taken. I would add the date and time of the video to correlate with the time the 9-1-1 call was made.
I met with Sergeant Matthew Blank, LCPA Police Department, who was at the fire scene shortly after the incident was dispatched. He
observed a fire and took a photograph. This photograph shows fire present in the general area where Alicea captured video of the
event but from a different vantage point. Other areas of fire, not present in Alicea's video, had also evolved possibly fueled by the
surrounding dry grass and winds. Photo taken by Sergeant Blank was attached to case file.
AREA OF ORIGIN:
I concluded the fire originated around a group of vehicles on the north side of the field near the ground underneath one of the
vehicles in the first few rows. (Area depicted on sketch of an overhead image; labeled with letter "A" Hertz overflow west section)
Evidence:
Digital photographs archived with Bureau of Forensic Fire & Explosives Analysis lab.
All other video, photos, and audio obtain were archived on DVD.
No evidence samples were collected due to the accidental cause of this fire.
Exposures:
There were no exposures as a result of the fire.
Number of Fatalities and/or Injuries:
None were reported.
Estimated Value and Loss:
Estimated loss exceeds $100,000,000.00.
Weather:
The weather was evaluated prior to, during, and after the fire. On the day of the incident, the weather at 4:53 PM was 82 degrees with
49% humidity. Winds were 16 mph out of the WSW. Conditions were fair with no reported adverse conditions. (Weather data from
Weather Underground- full daily data attached to case file)
I reviewed the Fire Danger Maps and Fire Danger Index published by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. The observed fire danger for Lee County on 04/02/2020 was "Very High" with a forecast 04/03/2020 as "High".
I reviewed rainfall data from the Caloosahatchee Forestry Center, State for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. For the Orange River region, no rainfall was recorded in the two weeks prior to the fire.
LATENT INVESTIGATION:
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 12 of 15

On 04/06/2020, I contacted each rental group to request a list of vehicles involved once they compiled the data. I talked with Cole
Spedale, Enterprise Holdings, via telephone about my request. He also sent an email confirmation that he was working on the
information. I called John O'Neill, VP at Avis Group, and explained my request. He referred the request to Eric McAliley,
Lydecker/Diaz Law Group representing Avis. I had talked with Michael Severance, Hertz Corporation, and advised I would also need
the vehicle information.
On 04/07/2020, I received an arson tip from Lee County Crimestoppers. The allegation was twofold. It implied that a group Amazulo,
an independent transportation service, may have started the fire. The second expressed concern that a firefighter was involved. I
determined that Amazulo was not involved with transporting vehicles in the area of origin on 04/03/2020. There were several persons
on scene when the fire began and none were firefighters. I notified Crimestoppers that the tip was unfounded.
On 04/07/2020, I returned to the fire scene and met with six private fire investigators. I showed them the photo and brief video
indicating the orientation of where the video was taken that I had obtained from witnesses. The private investigators were as
follows:
Scott Bennett, Fire and Explosion Consultants LLC
William Moylan, SEA Limited
Dennis Kerr, Kerr Fire Investigations
John Cavanaugh, NEFCO Fire Investigations
Richard Peterson, EFI Global
Matthew Cole, EFI Global
On 04/09/2020, I contacted Miriam Restrepo, Hertz Corporation. I requested the names of all the drivers for the vehicles being
shuttled on 04/03/2020. She replied with a list of persons employed by a third party contracted for those services. The company she
listed was EDS Service Solutions. Only one person shuttling cars on 04/03/2020, Miguel Alicea, was employed by Hertz Corporation.
On 04/10/2020, I talked with John Payne, EDS Service Solutions. I requested to talk with the persons employed by EDS that were
shuttling cars for The Hertz Corporation on 04/03/2020. Payne agreed to have them available for telephone interviews on Monday,
04/13/2020. He informed me that Grisleda Botello, EDS Human Resources, would coordinate contacting each person and conference
the call.
On 04/13/2020, Griselda Botello, EDS, called and arranged to conference in each worker along with Andrea Encalada, EDS VP Miami
Branch. Encalada translated Spanish to English and vice versa.
I confirmed with each of the following persons that they were working for EDS on 04/03/2020 and each was shuttling vehicles for
Hertz Corporation. Each person retrieved vehicles from the main rental area, drove them to the parking area and parked them the
over flow lot. None indicated any issues or problems with any of the vehicles being driven. None saw smoke or fire prior to the
incident. Jordan Gonzalez, DOB 10/08/1992, was the lead driver for EDS. He explained that each person picked up vehicles from the
main rental area and waited to have the vehicle scanned prior to leaving the rental area. This process could take a few minutes or up
to 15 minutes sitting idle before leaving with the vehicle. Once they departed the rental area the driver would travel to the parking
area in the field and park. They would drop off the keys and wait for the shuttle to take them back for the next group. Gonzalez
stated that just before the smoke became visible he was discussing with Miguel Alicea, Hertz, about whether to complete another
row before the day ended. Gonzalez saw the smoke erupt and called 911. He stated that Miguel Alicea was going to attempt to
extinguish the fire with a bottle of water he had but the fire was progressing too quickly. The following are EDS personnel that I
spoke with:
Sandro Labrada
Yoslan Moreira
Lil Hardwick
Evelio Hernandez
Nelson Portalatin
Ana Picart
Jordan Gonzalez- Lead Driver
Erik Hernandez Campos
I was unable to talk with Max Normil, Ener Jourdain, and Josner Henri.
During my research of ignition of grasses, I located a technical bulletin (2017-01-1354 Vehicle Fires Resulting from Hot Surface
Ignition of Grass and Leaves) published by SAE International March 2017. Authors T. Morse, M. Cundy and H. Kytomaa wrote the
technical paper. The following abstract is from the paper: "One potential fire ignition source in a motor vehicle is the hot surfaces on
the engine exhaust system. These hot surfaces can come into contact with combustible and flammable liquids (such as engine oil,
transmission fluid, brake fluid, gasoline, or Diesel fuel) due to a fluid leak, or during a vehicle collision. If the surface temperature is
higher than the hot surface ignition temperature of the combustible or flammable liquid in a given geometry, a fire can potentially
ignite and propagate. In addition to automotive fluids, another potential fuel in post-collision vehicle fires is grass, leaves, or other
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 13 of 15

vegetation. Studies of hot surface ignition of dried vegetation have found that ignition depends on the type of vegetation, surface
temperature, duration of contact, and ambient conditions such as temperature and wind speed. Ignition can occur at surface
temperatures as low as 300 °C, if the vegetation is in contact with the surface for 10 minutes or longer. At surface temperatures of
400 °C, ignition can occur in 3 minutes, and at surface temperatures of 500 °C, ignition can occur in a few seconds. We made
measurements of the surface temperature at various locations along the exhaust system of a passenger vehicle, including on the
catalytic converter, under different transient conditions. The temperatures were measured using thermocouples welded to the
exhaust system. The tests show that the maximum external surfaces temperatures occur under transient conditions after the vehicle
comes to a sudden stop. Thus, testing that only measures steady-state temperatures or temperatures while the vehicle is moving will
not necessarily capture the worst-case temperatures. For the vehicle tested, exhaust system components can reach temperatures of
400 °C and these temperatures can be sustained for minutes after the vehicle stops, and thus are capable of igniting dried
vegetation."
On 04/13/2020, Timothy Knapp, Enterprise Holdings, provided a list of the vehicles impacted by their organization. The list included
326 vehicles and has been attached to this report.
I received and reviewed the initial 911 call. At 4:45:03, the system logged the call from 2393094804. One minute, 39 seconds into the
call, the caller indicates the fire is underneath the cars. At 2 minutes, 33 seconds when asked if the fire was spreading, the caller
stated it was going left. At 2 minutes, 35 seconds, the caller states that LCAPD is on scene. I requested BFAEI analyst Jeanne Parker
identify the owner of the phone used to call 911. She provided the name Jordan Gonzalez. Gonzalez had previously informed me he
called 911.
A public records request was made to the Lee County Port Authority for police and fire reports related to the initial response on
04/03/2020. Attorney Gregory Hagen responded that the information would be provided as soon as it was available.
On 04/21/2020, I was contacted by Mitchell Spitler, Smith & Carson, Inc, Dothan Al. He is a fire investigator and requested to meet
about the fire. I met Spitler and Davis Smith, Smith & Associates, Atlanta GA who was retained on behalf of Ford Motor company.
We discussed my general findings related to the fire.
On 04/22/2020, I was contacted by Detective p. Sellars, LCPA Police Department. He requested my report.
On 04/28/2020, I was contacted by Joy Shanafelt, National Insurance Crime Bureau. She asked to discuss the origin & cause
information. I informed her that I had located the general area of origin and a preliminary cause for the fire, but I was still evaluating
information.
On 05/21/2020, I received an anonymous tip related to the fire. The tipster demanded complete anonymity and stated that a male
named "Tony" worked with an unknown rental car company. Tony had done work at the tipster's home recently. He felt Tony was
"intense, halfcocked, know it all" that was a bit scary to him. The tipster had no actual information that Tony was involved but since
he was a shady character the tipster felt he needed to let me know. After confirming that none of the parties involved around the
origin location were named Tony or Anthony, I closed the tip as unfounded.
On 05/22/2020, I received the fire incident report from the LCPAFD.
On 06/04/2020, I attended a meeting at the Lee County Port Authority. During the meeting Chief Chamberlin, Lee County Port
Authority Police Department (LCPAPD) informed me that he recalled seeing either Wink News or NBC2 News crew filming the day of
the fire. I sent requests to both organizations requesting they check to see if filming was done around the fire area and if the
origination of the fire was captured. I also met with Sergeant M Blank and Officer James Ross, LCPAPD. Officer Ross stated he was
the first unit on scene. He was patrolling on the south side of airport property. He heard the fire information being relayed via radio
and proceeded towards the fire. He saw smoke and realized it was not in the location provided via dispatch. He gave the correct
information and traveled to the fire. He entered the field from the west along the access road and went to the north/northeast area.
He continued to provide dispatch with information related to the fire until LCPAFD arrived. From his vantage point he could see
grass on fire just north of the parked rental cars but nothing further. Sergeant Blank arrived after Ross. He saw fire, but did not see
the beginning stage. He and Ross were more focused on ensuring all persons got out of the area. He did recall taking the photo he
provided me earlier, but he wasn't sure at what point he took the photo.
On 06/08/2020 I was given access to the Butler Legal sharefile containing information from the various involved entities. I reviewed
several items in the file and verified there were no existing photos or videos preceding the ones I already had in my file.
On 06/10/2020, Rich Garcia, Assistant New Director for Wink News, responded to my request. He advised that they were not in the
area and responded because of the fire incident.
On 06/11/2020, Darrel Lieze-Adams, Vice President of NBC-2, responded to my request. He confirmed that they had a crew in the
area filming an unrelated story. By the time the crew arrived, law enforcement and the fire department were already on scene. He did
supply the first photo taken by the crew. While it does not show the start of the fire, it does show the same general area as the photo
taken by Sgt. Blank and the video taken by Alicea. It also confirmed that fire was initially pushed north/northeast as evidenced by
the smoke in the photo.
On 06/16/2020, I received and reviewed the LCPA Police report of the incident from Attorney Hagen.
The following is a timeline of significant events based on all information I received:
Event Source
4:45:03 911 call (Jordan Gonzalez)
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 14 of 15

4:46:39 First video of fire (Miguel Alicea)

4:47:36 Fire spreading left (north) Gonzalez 911 call
4:47:38 LCPA police on scene Gonzalez 911 call
4:49:27 LCPA fire on scene LCPA Fire report
4:50:23 20 vehicles involved Lee Control CAD entry from AIR COM
CONCLUSION
I used a systematic approach in my application of the scientific method. After my examination of the fire scene, examination of
physical evidence, knowledge of fire development, witness information, and supporting documents and environmental conditions, I
determined the fire originated near ground level. This was likely caused by a hot exhaust system contacting dry grass underneath a
vehicle. Once the fire started, surrounding combustible items would have ignited with available oxygen and allowed the fire to spread
rapidly onto the surrounding grasses and vehicles. I am classifying this fire as Accidental.
I reserve the right to amend or supplement this report if information changes or additional facts or information become available.
REPORT STATUS
I recommend this case be closed as Accidental.
08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 15 of 15

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DFS Division of Investigative & Forensic Services

Origin and Cause - BFAEI BFAEI20-952/1

Physical Evidence Information

Fire Origin Information

Agency Reference Numbers

08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 1 of 15

Agency Reference Numbers - Continued

Address #1 - FIRE SCENE #1 - 11000 Terminal Access Rd

Subject #1 - Other #1 - EDS Service Solutions

Subject #2 - OWNER/VICTIM #1 - Avis-Budget Group

Subject #3 - OWNER/VICTIM #2 - ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS

08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 2 of 15

Subject #4 - OWNER/VICTIM #3 - The Hertz Corporation

Subject #5 - Company Official #1 - Bennett, Scott

Subject #6 - Company Official #2 - Cavanaugh, John

Subject #7 - Company Official #3 - Cole, Matthew

08/18/2020 08:39:46 Page 3 of 15

Subject #8 - Company Official #4 - Merhar, Hilton

Subject #9 - Company Official #5 - Moylan, William T "Bumper"

Subject #10 - Company Official #6 - Peterson II, Richard A

Subject #11 - Company Official #7 - Severance, Michael

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Subject #11 - Company Official #7 - Severance, Michael - Continued

Subject #12 - Company Official #8 - Spedale, Cole

Subject #13 - COMPANY REPR #1 - Botello, Griselda

Subject #14 - COMPANY REPR #2 - Encalda, Andrea Arturo

Subject #15 - COMPANY REPR #3 - Smith, David H

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Subject #15 - COMPANY REPR #3 - Smith, David H - Continued

Subject #16 - COMPANY REPR #4 - Spitler, Mitchell

Subject #17 - Fire Service #1 - Steffens, Ed

Subject #18 - Law Enforcement #1 - Blank, Matthew

Subject #19 - Company Official #1 - KERR, DENNIS

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Subject #20 - WITNESS #1 - Alicea, Miguel Angel

Subject #21 - WITNESS #2 - Gonzalez, Jordan Christin

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Subject #21 - WITNESS #2 - Gonzalez, Jordan Christin - Continued

Subject #22 - WITNESS #3 - Hardwick, Lil Hollis

Subject #23 - WITNESS #4 - Hernandez Campos, Erik

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Subject #24 - WITNESS #5 - Hernandez, Evelio

Subject #25 - WITNESS #6 - Moreira Perez, Yoslan

Subject #26 - WITNESS #7 - Pelaez Labrada, Sandro

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Subject #26 - WITNESS #7 - Pelaez Labrada, Sandro - Continued

Subject #27 - WITNESS #8 - Picart Luzanaris, Ana Ivette

Subject #28 - WITNESS #9 - Portalatin, Nelson Edsel

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Subject #28 - WITNESS #9 - Portalatin, Nelson Edsel - Continued

Origin and Cause Report

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4:46:39 First video of fire (Miguel Alicea)

I recommend this case be closed as Accidental.

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