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LAKELAND, Fla. – A man was arrested and charged with first-degree arson after authorities said he set a Lakeland food pantry on fire Wednesday night just days before Thanksgiving.

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Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a commercial structure fire at 2940 Combee Rd. S. in Lakeland late Wednesday at 9:47 p.m.

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Crews arrived to find heavy flames engulfing the building. They began working quickly to gain control of the fire and prevent it from spreading.

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On the scene, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies alerted PCFR units that they witnessed a possible suspect igniting the fire on video surveillance.

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Gordon Nelson, 60, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection with the fire.