Fire Investigators Say Downtown Fire Was Arson

Investigators revealed the fire that tore through the 100 block of San Antonio Avenue in downtown El Paso was set on purpose.

Fire department spokesman John Concha said, “the fire is ruled an arson fire. It was incendiary in nature and worked its way into a business at 108 East San Antonio.”

The fire that was originally believed to have started inside an ammunition shop actually started behind an old liquor store, said investigators. The flames didn’t burn much of Alamo Shooter, but Concha said the store did fail a fire inspection in 2011.

“(The property at) 108 East San Antonio was being used as a storage space for one of of the businesses and it was stockpiled full of merchandise. That’s what made it difficult for firefighters to gain access,” said Concha.

The former liquor was packed to the brim with winter merchandise from Rio Grande Fashions. According to Concha, the stockpiled clothing and high ceilings could have made things worse.

“Two to five minutes, this could have been the whole block on fire,” he said.

Philip Kim is a partial owner of Rio Grande Fashions. He told ABC-7 he had to break the news to his mother well after the blaze was contained.

“My mother was especially upset, but I didn’t tell her last night because I knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep,” Kim said. “She’s the worried type. Now basically, you know, I take it as it is.”

Concha urges local business owners to keep all merchandise and empty boxes inside their stores to prevent future fires like Sunday’s.

If you have any information about the fire last night, contact the El Paso Fire Department at 915-485-5699.