Three bodies found at tennis star James Blake's burning mansion: Report

Tampa-area firefighters found three bodies in a burning mansion owned by former tennis star James Blake, who was renting out the Tampa Bay house and not there at the time, officials said Wednesday.

Hours after the fire was reported about 6 a.m. EDT, firefighters were still there putting out hot spots at the 7,600-square-foot home located north of downtown Tampa. It could be days before detectives are able to sift through the charred debris, said officials.

Hillsborough County sheriff’s spokeswoman Cristal Bermudez Nunez said detectives don’t yet know the identities of the victims.

Neighbors told detectives that Blake hasn’t lived in the house for a while and was renting it out, she said. Detectives haven’t talked with Blake, whose agent said he was certain that Blake was not in Florida, though he wouldn’t say where he was.

“He’s not in Florida, I can tell you 100 percent that he’s not in Florida,” Carlos Fleming told the Associated Press.

TV reporter Meredyth Censullo, formerly of ABC, reported some bizarre circumstances pertaining to the blaze via Twitter.

Source: bodies found in burning mansion in Avila had heavy duty fireworks wrapped around their heads. Owner is tennis star James Blake.
— Meredyth Censullo (@MeredythTV) May 7, 2014

AVILA UPDATE: 3 dead in million dollar home. Gunshot wounds to head. 4th victim unconfirmed. Accelerant. High fireworks throughout home.
— Meredyth Censullo (@MeredythTV) May 7, 2014

Blake bought the home in the Avila subdivision in 2005 for $1.5 million, according to Hillsborough County property records. It had five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Video of the fire showed it totally engulfed in flames.

“It’s in the back part of Avila, the million-dollar homes. It’s a massive home,” said Nacole Revette, a spokeswoman for Hillsborough Fire Rescue.

Avila is an exclusive enclave north of Tampa known for its mansions and heavy security. 

Many well-known athletes call the community home and over the years, various football, baseball and tennis players have bought homes in the subdivision, which has a country club and golf course.

The 34-year-old Blake reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals in his prime and was ranked fourth on the ATP world tour in 2006.