Thursday, May 16, 2013
David Cretella was arrested and charged with arson in October last year. While awaiting trial, Cretellas was recently arrested on drug charges.
The owner of Gulfport Hardware, David Cretella, already awaiting trial for a felony arson charge following the burning of his shop in October 2012, has been arrested again, this time on drug charges, according to police. Cretella, 64, of Seminole, had already posted $10,000 bail for arson in the second degree following the fire at his shop, at 5006 Gulfport Blvd. S. Cretella entered a "not guilty" plea and waived his right to a speedy trial, according to Gulfport Police. He has a pre-trial hearing set on June 11 at 8:30 a.m. But in an unrelated incident, Cretella was arrested by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies Friday, May 10, and charged with possession of methadone, possession of a controlled substance, possession of diazepam and …
27.748305
-82.700775
Gulfport Hardware
5006 Gulfport Blvd S, Gulfport, FL
/articles/gulfport-hardware-owner-faces-new-charges
1835629
/locations/9391936
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Brumers' house burned down the day before Thanksgiving. But Gulfport shows the true meaning of 'community,' as folks rally to help a fellow resident in need.
Ed Brumer has much to be thankful for, even though he and his family were left homeless after a fire ravaged their house right before Thanksgiving. But family members, including their grandkids are safe, and the Gulfport community has rallied with help. For the past six days Ed Brumer's phone has been ringing off the hook. He says friends, neighbors and clients are offering his family places to stay, food and other donations until they can get back on their feet. "It makes me feel great, it's just amazing," Brumer said. Ed, his wife Michelle, their son Nathan, and two grandchildren, ages 5 and 8, made it out safely when their home at 4711 Coronado Way caught fire early Wednesday morning. He says they were only able to grab some clothes for…
A wonderful, sweetheart of a pitbull named Jodi, survived a terrible fire this weekend. Jodi's person, is a young man named Nathan, is seeking a temporary foster situation for his dog. Can you help?
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The entire house is a loss but the family of five is safe, because of the quick response of a grandmother who awoke to the crackle of flames.
Gulfport Fire Chief James Marenkovic says the 911 call for help came in just before 1 a.m. Wednesday regarding a fire at 4711 Coronado Way. A husband and wife, in their 50s, their 26-year-old son and two grandchildren were inside. The woman was sleeping in a front bedroom just feet from the garage and heard the crackling of flames. She woke up, saw a glow coming from the garage and got the rest of the family out of the house safely, according to Marenkovic. Merenkovic says the fire started in the garage and spread to overhead trees. Because of the fire damage and heavy smoke, the entire house is a "total loss." He says flames reached as high as 20 feet. In all, Gulfport Fire received help from South Pasadena, Treasure Island and St. Pete …
27.74031
-82.697324
4711 Coronado Way S, Gulfport, FL
/articles/house-fire-displaces-gulfport-family
/locations/8185261
Sunday, November 11, 2012
"Heroes Weekend" will feature a veteran's parade, dance, concert and beach volleyball benefit. Watch our video and hear more from Gulfport's finest about preparing for the big match against VETSports on Sunday!
Heroes Weekend There are several events kicking off on Thursday, Nov. 8 as part of the second annual Heroes Weekend in Gulfport. The weekend will feature a casino night, veteran's parade, dance and concert at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom and a beach volleyball benefit. Learn more about all of the event's in our article, "Heroes Weekend" Coming Soon. Inaugural Beach Volleyball Benefit Sunday, November 11 at 1:00 p.m., VETSports vs. Gulfport Police and Gulfport Fire Inaugural Beach Volleyball Benefit will be held with proceeds from this event donated to the Tampa family of fallen soldier Major David Taylor and Wounded Veterans of VETSports. Many of these Veterans playing in the volleyball matches now use prosthetics for mobility, this will …
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Did you miss this week's top stories? Check out our week in review to get caught up.
Fire Destroys Gulfport Business: Flames as high as 30 feet shot through the roof while paint cans shot across the street from Gulfport Hardware during a fire Thursday night. Jail Bookings Report: Oct 7 - 14: The following people were arrested between October 7 and 14. The information is provided by the Gulfport Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Prescription Drug Abuse Still a Focus for Pinellas County: The county has created a four-part series called 'Fighting Back Against Prescription Drug Abuse.' Are People Speeding in Your Neighborhood?: Residents are asking city leaders to deter speeding in their neighborhood before it's too late. Clam Bayou Restoration Project to Be Dedicated: Mayor Mike Yakes will join …
David Cretella is being held in jail without bond.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
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Sunday, October 21, 2012
The owner of Gulfport Hardware faces arson charges in the burning of his own shop, 5006 Gulfport Boulevard South. David Cretella, 64, of Seminole was booked into the Pinellas County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Cretella, was taken into custody by the Gulfport Police Department, in conjunction with the Division State Fire Marshalls Office Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation (BFAI). Cretella has owned Gulfport Hardware for about seven years. At 8:23 p.m. Friday night, Gulfport police officers on patrol noticed heavy smoke and flames coming from the hardware store. Firefighters fought the blaze for several hours battling the fire and multiple explosions due to paint and chemicals that caught on fire and were being stored on…
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Flames as high as 30 feet shot through the roof while paint cans shot across the street from Gulfport Hardware during a fire Thursday night.
Witnesses heard paint cans explode from inside Gulfport Hardware Thursday night. Two Gulfport Police Officers were on a routine patrol on Gulfport Boulevard when they spotted the flames around 8:30 p.m. As of 11 p.m. Gulfport Blvd was blocked off to traffic as firefighters continued to sift through the business and put out hot spots with a water cannon 50 feet in the air. The owner, David Cretella, has been accounted for according to his son David. The fire happened after hours and David says his father was at home. The owner's son, David, says his father has had Gulfport Hardware for about 6 to 7 years. "It's terrible that it happened. Everything can be replaced, I'm just glad he's alright," David, the owner's son, said. As far as he …
27.748305
-82.700775
Gulfport Hardware
5006 Gulfport Blvd S, Gulfport, FL
/articles/fire-destroys-gulfport-business
1835629
/locations/8034978
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Emergency officials say at least one propane tank exploded in a garage fire Thursday night.
At least one propane tank exploded at a Gulfport home early tonight, causing flames to shoot up in the air and firefighters from four municipalities to respond. No one was injured in the dramatic blaze, which is still under investigation. When Gulfport firefighters responded to an emergency call to 29th Avenue South and 53rd Street South, flames were at least 15 feet tall, Lt. Erick Fuchs said tonight. Emergency officials with Gulfport, St. Petersburg, South Pasadena and Treasure Island were called in to help at around 5:15 Thursday night. At least three engines battled the flames. Fuchs saw three propane tanks in the small building and says at least one "exploded," because he saw a "flash" while fighting the fire. Fuchs was unsure if the …
27.74736
-82.70586
Gulfport Fire Department
5314 23rd Ave S, Gulfport, FL
/articles/propane-tank-explodes-in-fire
1834004
/locations/6793893
Cherlene Willis
4:22 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Update from Chief James Marenkovic: "The origin of the fire was inside the garage, the cause has been left as undetermined." Also from the Chief: "Undetermined – Whenever the cause cannot be proven to an acceptable level of certainty, the proper classification is undetermined." more ›