Four Found Dead After Fire At Ex-Tennis Star, James Blake’s, Mansion
6:30 PM – Update: Reports are now stating that the fire at former tennis star James Blake’s mansion was intentionally set, killing two adults and two teenagers. According to NBC New York, the two adults had been discovered early Wednesday morning and the body of the first teenager was discovered shortly after. It wasn’t until 1:00 pm that the fourth body was discovered. The two adults reportedly were found in one bedroom, and the two teens found in two separate bedrooms.
“The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said two of the victims had upper body trauma, but didn’t disclose what type of trauma it was.”
Original Report: Four bodies were discovered in a home owned by former tennis star James Blake after the home was engulfed in flames early Wednesday morning. According to USA Today, the million-dollar Tampa Bay home was owned by James Blake, though he was not inside at the time of the fire.
A spokesman with the James Blake Foundation told reporters that Blake was not inside the house when the fire broke out. Neighbors told ABC News that Blake hadn’t lived in the house for a while. “It’s in the back part of Avila, the million-dollar homes. It’s a massive home,” said Nacole Revette, a spokeswoman for Hillsborough Fire Rescue.
The home was located at 16223 Sierra de Avila, inside the exclusive Avila Golf and Country Club and was a 5,856 square-foot mansion with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Blake reportedly purchased the home in 2005 for $1.5 million.
The identities of the four individuals found inside the burnt wreckage have yet to be released at this time, and the cause of their deaths have yet to be determined. According to USA Today, police have yet to determine if the four people died by the fire or if there may have been some other cause. Firefighter reportedly told detectives that there were fireworks located in the home, which has spurred rumors that fireworks could have played a part in the death of the four individuals.
Source: bodies found in burning mansion in Avila had heavy duty fireworks wrapped around their heads. Owner is tennis star James Blake.
— Meredyth Censullo (@MeredythTV) May 7, 2014
The Tampa Bay Sheriff’s office is reportedly worried that the fire may have destroyed any evidence that could have helped investigators determine the cause of death and the cause of the fire. “Investigators are expected to be out at the scene for days trying to collect evidence,” USA Today stated. Due to the extensive damage to the home, detectives may not be able to enter the scene of the fire until Thursday.
Stay with The Inquisitr as more information becomes available.
[Image via Shutterstock/donghero]
