Men Charged With Arson Set Fire Despite Burn Ban, Court Record States
Two men arrested on suspicion of starting a massive blaze that destroyed two businesses and two homes in east El Paso have been charged with arson.
According to the arrest affidavits obtained by ABC-7 News, Leonel Chavira and Cipriano De La Torre intentionally started the fire and “in doing so, recklessly damaged or destroyed property belonging to another.”
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire shortly after 5 p.m. June 18 at Paso Del Norte Pallets, 13632 Madero Drive near Horizon City. The fire, which was fueled by wind gusts of up to 37 mph and a temperature of 103 degrees, quickly spread to another pellet company and several homes. No injuries were reported.
Fire investigator Steve Hoeller, who responded to the fire, told sheriff’s investigators he saw a barrel emitting flames about 20 feet from the fire on the Paso Del Norte Pallets property. He said that because of the direction of the wind, the barrel “could not have caught fire, but rather caused the fire.” According to the affidavit, Chavira told fire dispatchers, “we have a fire. We were burning wood; some trash flew.”
Because El Paso County issued a 90-day burn ban in April as a result of dry conditions, the fire was considered intentional and reckless, the affidavit states.
Fire crews from Horizon, Socorro, San Elizario and Montana Vista firefighters worked together to contain the blaze. Fort Bliss fire crews also assisted.
