Ala. man arrested for starting Fla. abortion clinic fire

(CBS/AP) PENSACOLA, Fla. - Investigators have arrested an Alabama man for starting a fire that gutted a Florida abortion clinic long targeted by violence and protests.

Federal and state officials announced the arrest of 41-year-old Bobby Joe Rogers on Thursday. According to police, Rogers set a blaze that destroyed much of the Pensacola clinic, which has a long history of violence.

On Christmas Day in 1984 the clinic was bombed, and in 1994 Dr. David Gunn and a volunteer who escorted patients to and from the clinic were shot to death as they arrived. The man who shot them, Paul Hill, was put to death in 2003 for his crime.

Rogers was charged with violating federal explosives laws and was being held at the Escambia County Jail pending indictment, said the state fire marshal's office.

Investigators said the fire burned without notice for a while as dense fog had settled over the region. The blaze was eventually reported around 1 a.m.

No one was hurt in Sunday's fire. If Rogers is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.