Man Arrested after Striking Firefighter and Law Enforcement Officer at a Structure Fire

By: Brittany Kershaw

Palm Coast – At 9:32 P.M. on Thursday evening, crews from the Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue, Fire Police, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported structure fire on Blyth Place in Palm Coast. Upon arrival, crews found heavy black smoke and an active fire in a back bedroom.   The quick-thinking of the homeowner to close the bedroom door prevented the fire from leaving the room of origin.   Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and began to overhaul it. 

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The fire was determined to be the result of arson. A resident of the home had ignited a futon on fire in an attempt to gain attention from the family.  That same resident later battered a Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter on the scene. 

The case was referred to the State Fire Marshal Office for fire investigation.   The resident, Mark Gregory McKerlie (DOB 9/9/1973), was charged with two counts of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer or EMT and one count of Arson.