Texas governor's mansion burns

By Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports

AUSTIN — Arson is suspected in the pre-dawn fire that struck the historic Texas Governor’s Mansion early Sunday, causing damage that state officials described as “bordering on catastrophic,” the state fire marshal said.

No one was inside the 152-year-old mansion at the time, said Robert Black, a spokesman for Gov. Rick Perry. The mansion had been undergoing a $10 million renovation, and Perry and his wife, Anita, had moved out last fall.

“We have some evidence that indicates that we do have an intentionally set fire,” said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. “So we believe that we may be looking at a criminal act here.”

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was sending in a team to help investigate, Maldonado said. He did not give details on how the fire may have been set or whether there was a suspect.

An official close to the investigation said agents determined the fire was a criminal act after reviewing footage from security cameras. A national response team from the U.S. Department of Justice arrives today to help dig through the wreckage for clues.

State officials said they hoped the Greek Revival-style mansion had not been destroyed, but the damage was extensive.

“It is bordering on catastrophic. The roof has not yet collapsed. The structure is still intact,” said Allison Castle, a Perry spokesman.

However, the roof had buckled in places and the building was blackened, including parts of the six 29-foot columns standing at the front. In some places, white paint had burned away to reveal the original color of the brick.

“They built them pretty sturdy back then,” Black said. “Nonetheless, it’s taken quite a beating this morning.”

Black said some interior ornamentation was damaged beyond repair. Two white front porch swings appeared to be unscathed. There was no immediate financial estimate of the damage.

The mansion is a national historic landmark. Built in 1856, it is the oldest continually used executive residence west of the Mississippi, according to the group Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, which works to preserve and show the public the historic building.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze for hours. Though the blaze had been extinguished by an 11 a.m. news conference, firefighters could be seen hosing down remaining hot spots.

A state trooper who was on the grounds as part of regular security detail heard the mansion’s fire alarm, saw flames and called the fire department, said Tela Mange, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Officials would not comment on how many security officers were present when the fire started. They said there is no evidence any direct threat to the governor was intended.

“We are heartbroken by the fire that has ravaged the Texas Governor’s Mansion,” Perry said in a statement. “Though it can certainly be rebuilt, what Texas has lost today can never be replaced.”

Perry and his wife were in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday as part of a European trip. They are scheduled to return Tuesday.

For more information see Monday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.