US: Four found dead in fire at home owned by tennis star James Blake

[webfact]

Four found dead in fire at home owned by James Blake

TAMPA: -- The bodies of four people have been found after a fire destroyed a million-dollar Florida mansion owned by former tennis star James Blake.

Blake and his family are in Connecticut, his management company confirmed. Sports Illustrated reports that Blake was renting the home ‘to someone else''. The 550 square-metre home is inside the exclusive Avila Golf and Country Club in Tampa.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters told detectives that they found fireworks inside the residence.

Police have not determined whether the people found dead were killed by the fire or some other cause, and their identities have not been released by investigators.

The sheriff's office says the biggest fear is losing evidence to the fire. Investigators are expected to be out at the scene for days trying to collect evidence. Detectives may not be able to enter the remains of the home until Thursday, due to structural damage.

Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/four-found-dead-in-fire-at-home-owned-by-james-blake-20140508-zr6ng.html

-- The Age 2014-05-08

[zydeco]

Who is James Blake?

[chuckd]

From the opening post:

fire destroyed a million-dollar Florida mansion owned by former tennis star James Blake.

[BwindiBoy]

Never heard of him...

[Phuket Stan]

James Blake is African American who just did not quite make the big stage although being quite talented player ...faded a bit from the scene last couple of years....Google is your friend

[Chicog]

Hardly a tennis "Star" if no-one's heard of him. Obviously made some good coin though.

[coma]

I have heard of him. Quite well known on the tennis scene actually.

James Riley Blake^[1] (born December 28, 1979) is a former American professional tennis player. Blake is known for his speed and powerful, flat forehand. As of August 2013, Blake had amassed 24 career finals appearances (10–14 record), while his career-high singles ranking was World No. 4.

I heard on the news this morning that the bodies had some sort of injuries to them other that the normal burns from a fire. Maybe foul play ?

[larsjohnsson]

Hardly a tennis "Star" if no-one's heard of him. Obviously made some good coin though.

Not a tennis star. And was ranked as # 4 in the world when he was good. That's a rather good ranking for not being a star

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted.

[ggt]

Fire...a great way to clean-up a crime scene...

[Credo]

Fire...a great way to clean-up a crime scene...

What a silly thing to say. Fire often doesn't clean up the crime scene. It just means there are now two crimes instead of one. If you can't do the first one right, what makes you think the cover up crime will work.

[ggt]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Fire...a great way to clean-up a crime scene...

What a silly thing to say. Fire often doesn't clean up the crime scene. It just means there are now two crimes instead of one. If you can't do the first one right, what makes you think the cover up crime will work.

the biggest fear is losing evidence to the fire...

Rest my case...

[Ulic]

I don't really follow tennis but I do know James Blake. Tennis star, yes. Super star no.

Most people only know the super stars.

[ALFREDO]

Who is James Blake?

Here you go,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Blake_(tennis)

Highest ATP ranking Nr.4 Price money 7+> Mill. Dollar

Edited May 8, 2014 by ALFREDO

[JesseFrank]

Who is James Blake?

Here you go,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Blake_(tennis)

Looks a bit like an imitation O.J. Simpson.

[ALFREDO]

Looks a bit like an imitation O.J. Simpson.

He. was/is handsome.