PLANT CITY, Fla. (AP) A resident of a home near Tampa where four people and three dogs died in a fire intentionally set the blaze and was arrested on murder and other charges, a sheriff said Wednesday.

Fire crews were called to the fire in Plant City around 12:09 a.m. Wednesday after a homeowner called 911 and reported smoke and flames inside the home. Three adults and five dogs were trapped inside, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said in a statement.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release that 25-year-old Shawn Gossett set the fire on purpose. Gossett is charged with four counts of first-degree murder while engaged in arson, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, and one arson count, the sheriff said.

This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man, Chronister said. I want to commend our detectives and our partners at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue for their swift actions which resulted in the arrest of this individual and their relentless efforts to ensure justice is served.