Man Accused Of Striking Deputy During Fire Investigation

A man who was repeatedly told to leave the scene of a house fire was arrested after he struck a deputy and resisted arrest, deputies said.

El Paso County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a house fire on the 100 block of River Street about 1:45 a.m. Monday in Fabens, Texas. Deputies reported seeing smoke coming out of the home and evacuated residents in the surrounding houses.

The homeowner told deputies that a family member alerted her about the fire and attempted to extinguish the fire with a water hose but was unsuccessful, and the structure became engulfed in flames. A house next door sustained water and smoke damage.

Several Fabens and Clint fire crews, including one paramedic unit, responded to the fire. It took crews 35 to 40 minutes to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, but fire officials said it could have been an electrical overload.

The fire caused an estimated $20,000 worth of damage to the first house, which was not insured. The second home also sustained about $20,000 worth of damage. The owner told deputies his home was insured.

Deputies said a man who was highly intoxicated and standing near the engulfed house was told several times to leave the area before becoming belligerent and uncooperative.

Deputies said Raul Fuentes, 29, struck a deputy and resisted arrest. He was arrested on suspicion of interfering with public duties. He also had an outstanding warrant for criminal mischief of more than $500 and less than $1,500. Fuentes was booked into the El Paso County Jail Annex, with bond set at $5,200.

Residents were able to return to their homes after two hours.