Arson Suspected in Texas Governor’s Mansion Fire
June 9, 2008 by national
Filed under Incident Reports
Fire investigators are bringing in federal experts and asking for the public’s help in identifying who may be to blame for a weekend blaze that badly damaged the historic Texas Governor’s Mansion.
Arson is suspected in the Sunday morning fire that charred the unoccupied 152-year-old building, said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. He wouldn’t provide details on how the fire was set or whether there is a suspect.
“There were some working cameras and surveillance video and all of that is useful to us and that is part of what we are using to help us with this investigation,” Maldonado said.
“We have some evidence that indicates that we do have an intentionally set fire,” Maldonado said. “So we believe that we may be looking at a criminal act here.”
A national response team from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms headed to Austin to assist state and local investigators. And Maldonado asked members of the public to call in with tips on a hotline if they believe they have any useful information.
“We’re going to come get the person that’s responsible for causing this damage,” he said.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his wife, Anita, had temporarily moved out of the mansion last year so that a $10 million renovation and maintenance project could take place at the national historic landmark building. The couple is in Europe on an economic development trip but issued a statement Sunday saying they were “heartbroken” by the fire.
