TX Fire Marshal Probing Series of Fires
Source Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Texas (TNS)
On April 27, firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire at Applegate Mobile Home Park in South Lubbock.
Fire crews arrived to find a mobile home engulfed in flames, with heavy smoke pouring from the structure.
The mobile home was determined to be a total loss and the incident left two people displaced and in need of assistance from the South Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross.
This was the sixth investigation by the Lubbock Fire Marshal’s Office in April. In all of the cases, the fires have either been determined to be intentional — arson — or the cause is still to be determined.
FMO representative Robert Loveless said while at least three fires were intentionally set, the fires appear to be unrelated. The fires are also not believed to be related to two recent dorm room arsons on the Texas Tech campus, he and Tech officials said.
But Loveless stressed vigilance, adding residents should report suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
“Sometimes it’s that one tip that sends us in the right direction,” he said.
If there are no witnesses in an investigation, investigators have to rely on the leads they receive — such as in a case on April 25.
That day, Loveless said, investigators responded to Covington Court Mobile Home Park and found two abandoned mobile homes on fire. He said upon further investigation, it appeared the fire was intentionally set, but the case is closed until more information is obtained.
Loveless said there were no witnesses at the scene.
“Until we get more information,” he said, “the case is closed.”
Lubbock police Lt. Ray Mendoza said the department is not assisting with FMO investigations, but officers did provide assistance in securing the scene as Lubbock Fire Rescue crews controlled the fires.
On the night of April 2, Lubbock Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 1900 block of 22nd Street. Upon arrival, the report states, crews located a fire on the east side of the residence.
A nearby resident, Lysa Holland, said she saw the house was on fire but didn’t witness any suspicious activity prior to the incident.
She said she has security cameras throughout her property to help deter criminal activity.
“At the very least, I hope my security cameras can help out somehow,” Holland said.
Several of the FMO investigations remain inactive or closed until more information comes forward. In the case of a structure fire in the 2700 block of East Eighth Street, Loveless said, there was no indication of criminal activity.
A burned mattress remains in the middle of the driveway of the abandoned property.
When asked if there was evidence of people entering the residence, he said investigators cannot rule that out.
He said even if a fire was not set intentionally, other crimes may emerge in the investigation.
John Cummins, senior disaster program manager for the American Red Cross, South Plains Regional Chapter, said the organization assisted nine fire victims in April.
Although a fire’s cause and origin are determined after assistance is provided, he said, sometimes an arrest will lead to restitution, but the organization rarely sees that.
“We give our assistance on the scene,” Cummins said, “and many times (cause and origin) information is unavailable.”
The organization’s South Plains chapter provided assistance to two people in the fire at Applegate Mobile Home Park. Loveless said the case remains under investigation.
When asked how citizens can help, he said it is important for residents to communicate with investigators on the scene. Also, a neighborhood watch can be helpful in reporting neighborhood activity.
If anyone has any information on the listed cases, Loveless said Crime Line at 741-1000 is the most effective way to inform his office; callers may remain anonymous.
“Sometimes it’s just chatter,” he said, “but sometimes it helps solve the case.”
• 766-8722
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