ST PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A married couple is rebuilding after losing part of their home to a car crash that sparked a fire in a neighborhood along 14th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.
“I don’t know how our future is going to go from here, but we’re going to make it work,” said Sandra Henderson. “It’s going to take some time.”
Sandra and Abbott Henderson described the moment a stolen Honda Accord crashed into their living room around 3 a.m. Monday morning.
“I woke up, it sounded like somebody dropped a bomb on the house, the house was on fire,” said Abbott Henderson.
According to St. Pete Police, the driver stole the car from where it was left overnight, parked over 3.5 miles away.
“My wife was confused, I’m trying to explain to her what’s going on, get out the house is on fire we’ve got to get out the house now,” said Abbott.
The two made it out of the home unscathed, but their home of 30 years is another story.
“I never could have imagined that it would have been this house,” said Sandra. “Why? Just why.”
On a neighbor’s security camera footage, provided by police, the suspect is seen limping away after the crash.
“That’s horrible,” said Sandra. “I hope they find him, so that he can pay for all of this.”
“They’re just young and foolish, that’s all I can say,” said Abbott. “But I’m going to do the best I can to rebuild and keep going.”
In addition to the damage on their home, Sandra says her car she parked safely in the driveway earlier is now totaled.
Above that, the pair says they’re grateful for their neighbors who, after word got around, are stopping by to check on them.
“Everybody’s been coming by, making sure we’re okay,” said Sandra. “They want to help out.”
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.