Arson confirmed in TX Governor's Mansion fire

by Stephanie Sobotka | June 12, 2008 at 04:22 pm | 109 views | 1 comment

The fire at the Texas Governor’s Mansion was indeed a case of arson. Video surveillance cameras show a suspect throwing a lit object onto the porch.

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An Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent tells CBS 42 News the object seen being thrown in surveillance video appears to be a "Molotov," which is a lit container with flammable liquid inside.

Early on Thursday, state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado confirmed Sunday's fire at the Governor's Mansion was arson. He says a surveillance camera captured on video an individual igniting an object and tossing onto the building's front porch. From there, the fire spread rapidly. Maldonado says evidence shows an accelerant was used in the crime.

Officials would not say if the suspect is male or female. The surveillance video is being enhanced in order to gather more clues.

At the Thursday morning news conference, the state fire marshal said the on-site investigation is now complete and the building is being returned to the state for restoring.

According to the state's restoration engineers, the building is "structurally deficient" and the roof will need to be replaced. The downstairs seems to be in the best shape, but other areas of the 152-year-old landmark are extensively damaged.