was that the fire was set deliberately.
While incarcerated at Lake Butler for an unrelated offense, appellant was questioned regarding the fire. He confessed to setting the fire, but stated that he had not known Sonnenberg was in the building when he started the fire. In a subsequent statement appellant reaffirmed that he had started the fire and said that he had had a homosexual relationship with Sonnenberg and that they had argued. After starting the fire, appellant stated that he walked across the street and masturbated twice. Both of these statements were admitted at trial.
Appellant, on direct examination, denied setting the fire and claimed that he signed the statement so he could return to Jacksonville. He and his wife testified that he spent most of January 4, 1982,was taken to the hospital where he was seen by Dr. D. C. Hutchinson. After obtaining a history of the patient, Dr. Hutchinson was of the opinion that he was suffering from acute gastroenteritis and attributed the illness to the above sandwich. Plaintiff remained in the hospital until early on the morning of June 19, when he was discharged. He suffered no further distress as a result of this incident.
This suit was brought against Pak-A-Sak Service Stores, Inc., and its insurer Aetna Casualty Insurance Company; Bearden Sandwich Company, Inc., d/b/a Southern Belle Sandwich Company and its insurer, Market Insurance Company; and Manda Brothers Provisions Company, Inc. and its insurer Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York.
After trial on the merits, judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff and