Past and current employees of Texas Lil's Dude Ranch are being scrutinized as possible suspects in a Nov. 4 arson that destroyed three buildings, a police lieutenant said Wednesday.
"This is a large investigation -- probably one of the largest fires to have occurred in Denton County -- and we expect to make more arrests," Northlake police Lt. Brian Harpole said. "Our Police Department is investigating the crime along with county, state and federal assistance."
Billy Gene Howard, 48, a longtime employee of the ranch, is a primary suspect. He was arrested on suspicion of arson after police found him covered in fuel, watching one of the buildings burn.
Howard remained in the Denton County Jail on Wednesday, Denton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Kevin Patton said.
Two colleagues of Howard's say he is innocent. Terri Tople, a former employee at Texas Lil's, said Howard always smelled like fuel because fuel management was one of his daily responsibilities.
"I think Bill is a very big scapegoat," she said. "He was Lil's right-hand man. He worked on the engines."
Lynda "Texas Lil" Arnold agreed, despite Howard's criminal record. She said he is a diesel mechanic who worked daily on the ranch's tractors, trailers and wagons.
"He loved this place so much," she said. "He had been in jail for 18 months before he came out here. His ongoing mission in life was he never ever wanted to go back to jail."
Howard started working at Texas Lil's about eight years ago.
He was in the Denton County Jail between 1998 and 1999 in connection with a burglary of a building charge in Highland Village, records show. Other convictions since 1979 include DWI, larceny, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful carrying of a knife, records show.
Harpole said he does not know whether Howard was primarily responsible for dispensing fuel. He said the fuel tank on the property was unlocked at the time of the fire.
"The way we see it, everyone at the ranch had access to the fuel if they needed it," Harpole said.
He said evidence has been sent to the state and to a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives laboratory for further investigation.
Denton County Fire Marshal Jody Gonzalez said thousands of gallons of water had to be taken to the property because there was no hydrant nearby.
The ranch's 30,000-square-foot dance hall, 3,000-square-foot restaurant and 1,500-square-foot office were destroyed. Damage was estimated at more than $2 million, Gonzalez said.
Investigators have concluded that the fires were set because the buildings are 100 to 150 yards apart and are not connected, Gonzalez said.
