Diena Thompson : Jarred Harrell, Killer’s house set on fire

It’s a cathartic burn with a purpose for Diena Thompson. Inside the home on Gano Avenue, Diena’s seven-year-old daughter Somer was murdered by Jarred Harrell in 2009.

For the past three nights, crews with the Orange Park Fire Department have been conducting specialized search and rescue trainings inside and outside the home. Other training participants include the Clay County Fire Department, NAS JAX and Fire Marshal.

In October 2009, Somer Thompson was murdered inside the Gano Avenue home where Jarred Harrell once lived. He pleaded guilty to the murder and is serving six life sentences.

“What better thing to do than to destroy it and then let people train to save other people’s lives?” Diena Thompson, Somer’s mother, said.

Fire crews planned to burn the home down Thursday afternoon. However, a water meter near the home burst Thursday morning when a First Coast News vehicle accidentally drove over it. The repairs delayed the training for about one hour.

Homeowners in the area have been notified about the training and no evacuations are necessary. However, there will be road closures and an added police presence in the area.

Diena Thompson and The Somer Thompson Foundation acquired the home for that purpose. She said there are future plans for the property, but she can’t say exactly what they are at this time.

Agencies/Canadajournal

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