ANNETTA SOUTH —
The Parker County Fire Marshal’s Office suspects arson as the cause of a fire that destroyed a 3,500-square-foot home and barn in the 200 block of Terrace Court East in Annetta South Thursday, Feb. 16.
“It’s very unusual, very suspicious,” Investigator Lanny Padgett said Friday. “There were two buildings separated by 40 yards, and both structures were involved when firefighters arrived, which was fairly early.
“But there was no grass or vegetation burned between them. And it wasn’t the result of radiant heat from one to the other.
“There were two separate fires.”
The resident of the home, Padgett said, was visiting her mother at the time of the fire.
Padgett said the Fire Marshal’s office would continue to conduct interviews with neighbors and workers in the area to see if someone noticed anything peculiar.
Floor and carpet samples will be sent to labs, he said, to check for accelerants.
Several departments responded to the large fire, which started between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Aledo Assistant Fire Chief Morris Leondar said Aledo was the first to arrive.
“I was in the second truck there, after our engine,” he said, “and our tanker was right behind me.
“It was basically a fully involved house, and the barn was fully involved, too,” he said. “We tried to stop the fire in the house, but it was so far advanced . . .”
When arson is involved, Leondar said, fires are often started in multiple locations.
An officer with the Parker County Sheriff’s department, who arrived early to cordon off roads, said flames were visible over the treetops.
“It was a very hot fire,” Padgett said, “lots of fuel — clothes and paperwork — inside.”
Padgett said he expects the investigation to continue over the next couple of weeks.
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Members of the Aledo Fire Department were the first to arrive on the scene of a house fire in Annetta South Thursday morning. To view what they saw, go to www.youtube.com and search for Aledo VFD structure fire. JUDY SHERIDAN/DEMOCRAT PHOTO
February 20, 2012
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