County enlists ATF to look into fire bug

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A home owned by Millsap Mayor Jamie French burned to the ground nearly three weeks ago, the latest in string of suspicious house fires in the Millsap area. CHRISTIN COYNE

May 5, 2011

Friday’s fire in north Weatherford ruled accidental

Christin Coyne Weatherford Democrat The Weatherford Democrat Thu May 05, 2011, 08:00 AM CDT

WEATHERFORD — The grass and structure fire on the north edge of Weatherford Friday evening has been ruled accidental, but federal assistance has been requested for the ongoing arson investigation in that area.

Local officials have requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as they continue their investigation into recent arson fires in that area, Parker County Fire Marshal Shawn Scott said.

The fire that destroyed a barn on the northern edge of Weatherford off of Samuel Street Friday and exploded into a 5-acre grass fire on the high fire danger day reportedly started as a result of an electrical issue, a relief to investigators.

“We were able to find a faulty wiring within the electrical panel for the garage,” Scott said. “[There was] significant evidence for an electrical short and arcing.”

In light of eight roadside fires in the neighborhood since December, causing significant property loss and nearly destroying an historic home, and years of similarly suspicious fires in the area, “we were happy to find one that was accidental,” Scott said.

Because of the dense vegetation, they called for help early, Scott said.

Fire departments across the county responded to help contain the fire before it spread into surrounding neighborhoods.

Responding firefighters were able to save the house next door to the barn, which would likely have gone up had they been minutes later, according to Weatherford Fire Marshal Bob Hopkins.

Greenwood Fire Department provided firefighters to help man Weatherford Station 1, as well as provided a brush truck, a water tank and volunteers to assist with firefighting, according to Greenwood Fire Chief John Burgoyne.

Though Friday’s fire investigation was quickly over, the northern Weatherford fire setter investigation continues.

“We did contact ATF to assist with the situation here in Weatherford simply because they have better resources and technology,” Scott said. “Those guys are a great help.”

Millsap fires

The fire marshal’s office is also busy working suspicious fires in the Millsap area.

“In that particular situation, we’ve had three or four homes in that neighborhood that have burned for no reasonable explanation,” Scott said.

The latest house fire reportedly destroyed a vacant manufactured home in the 400 block of Plum Street around April 22.

Jamie French, mayor of Millsap, owned the latest house destroyed in the fires.

He estimated cleanup and the cost of the home will put him out about $10,000.

“It’s been vacant for a year or so,” French said. “But that’s no reason for someone to come by and set fire to the place.”

The fire started inside the house, but the house had no electricity, French said.

The quiet town is a little uneasy, he said.

“It’s been three weeks,” French said. “We’re about due for another one. Hopefully, they’ll apprehend anyone who’s been doing this.”

The fires in Millsap range back the past three or four months and have all occurred during the early morning hours, Scott said.

They’ve been following up on leads, but nothing has turned out to be substantial, Scott said.

“We’re staying busy knocking on doors, talking to people,” Scott said. “We’ll stay at it until we get them.”