Latest News: Arson at Texas Governor's Mansion

[paulcalloway]

Fire at Governor's Mansion in Austin ruled arson

By CLAY ROBISON and JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — An early morning fire at the Governor's Mansion today was intentionally set, a state fire investigator said.

State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado declined to discuss further details but said there was no indication the fire was intended as a direct threat to Gov. Rick Perry.

No one was in the building, which has been closed several months for renovation, when the fire broke out. The governor has been living in a rented house in suburban Austin since last fall.

He and his wife, Anita, are in Stockholm, Sweden, finishing up a weeklong, trade-related trip to Europe.
The fire, discovered by security officers about 1:45 a.m., was under control by 6:30 a.m., but there were still hot spots in the building. Flames broke through a portion of the roof about 9:30 a.m. but were quickly extinguished.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was assisting the state Fire Marshal's office in the investigation. Maldonado indicated security cameras posted around the building were helpful to investigators.

But officials declined to discuss more details, including how an arsonist could have gone undetected by Department of Public Safety troopers assigned to secure the building and its grounds.

Damage to the 152-year-old historic structure is "extraordinary, bordering on catastrophic,'' including a partially collapsed roof, said Perry spokesman Robert Black.

Rest of the article including photos:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5825658.html

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Arson at Texas Governor's Mansion

Here's the story from our local paper in Austin with photos. http://www.statesman.com/

I'm just devastated; it was such a beautiful building.

[garyjd]

Re: Arson at Texas Governor's Mansion

Looks like a few folks are going to soon be out of a job. ~Gary

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Arson at Texas Governor's Mansion

Good news just posted at Austin newspaper website

Mansion stable, restoration begins
By Mike Ward | Thursday, June 12, 2008, 10:49 AM

The fire-charred Texas Governor's Mansion is structurally stable and the first steps toward eventual restoration of the 152-year-old historic icon began late this morning, within minutes after arson investigators lifted their tight cordon on the crime scene.

First priorities: Shore up the thick masonry-and-brick walls, install a temporary roof and begin drying out the water-soaked interior.

Biggest surprise: Many historical details of the first floor are relatively undamaged, from the spiral stairway to parlor doors to original fireplace mantels, officials said an initial inspection showed.
That's because they had all been covered and protected as part of a $10 million restoration project that had been underway when an arsonist set the front porch ablaze early Sunday.

[EVOC]

Re: Arson at Texas Governor's Mansion

There is a time for everything, including restoration. I want that coward caught, horse whipped and then brought to justice. Something like 300 years in maximum security with men rapists and cannibals.


"There was an individual on the property," said Texas State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado.

It's an individual clearly seen on surveillance video the state has yet to release.

"We have evidence on video of an individual lighting a material (and) throwing it. It lands on the porch of the Governor's Mansion, and the fire spreads very rapidly," said Maldonado.