Man arrested for setting fire to Springfield home; 2 pets dead

Jacksonville, FL — It's labeled as arson and a man is due in court later today for it.

A 51-year-old man is booked at Duval County Jail in connection to a house fire in Springfield late last night.

Besides the arson charge, Eugene Howard is also charged with animal cruelty and domestic battery in that incident at a home on East 16th and Hubbard streets.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has confirmed that two pets died in the fire and that there's substantial damage to the back of the home.

Howard reportedly set that fire after a fight with his ex-wife, according to our partners at Action News Jax.

We're working with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to get more details.