Texas Firefighter Charged With Setting Church Blaze

A lieutenant with the Hamby Volunteer Fire Department faces a charge of first-degree arson after allegedly setting a church on fire, authorities said.

Taylor Dupree Partain, 24, of Abilene, was arrested about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, about eight hours after a fire was started at the Hamby United Methodist Church, 128 CR 503, according to the Taylor County Sheri's Office.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Partain admitted to starting the blaze.

No motive for starting the blaze was oered by the department. It was unknown Tuesday afternoon whether Partain is the only suspect.

Stan West, a trustee of the church congregation, said Tuesday that Partain was not a member of the church and "as far as I know there was no animosity between us."

West said the north wall of the church was damaged around a window; damage to part of a carpet and charred ceiling tiles amounted to a total of $25,000 in damages, he said.

Church services will continue as scheduled Sunday, said West.

According to the sheriff's department, Partain admitted starting the blaze. Hamby VFD Chief Ray Watson said the fire is devastating to his department of 12 firefighters.

"Me and my whole bunch are hurt," he said. "We pride ourselves as being the premiere firefighting department in our area."

Partain, he said, has been volunteering his services since May 2008. Starting off as an officer, Partain most recently held the title of command line lieutenant.

Custody records as of Tuesday afternoon show Partain is being held at the Taylor County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.