Fire Marshal Confirms Arson Caused Fire At Governor’s Mansion

AUSTIN (AP) – Video footage shows a suspect standing in front of the Governor’s Mansion, igniting an object and throwing it onto the porch of the historic landmark setting off a blaze that ravaged the 152-year old structure, investigators said Thursday.

“We’re here to confirm that we do have an arson crime that has been committed at the Governor’s Mansion,” said State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. “The video is still being enhanced … we’re still reviewing, studying and analyzing the video.”

Maldonado said the cameras did not capture the suspect leaving the mansion’s front yard and he did not know if other people may have been present at the time.

“What we saw was that the fire progressed very rapidly and the reason it progressed is because there was an accelerant involved,” he said.

The mansion grounds were surrounded by an 8-foot chain-link fence and Department of Public Safety troopers were on guard.

Speaking at the state Republican convention in Houston, Gov. Rick Perry paused to pay homage to his residence for eight years.

Pointing to a picture of the mansion on a big TV screen in the hall, Perry said “See the grandeur, and hear me when I say this: You will see it again.

“I will not allow the destructive act of some deranged individual or group to destroy something that Texans hold so dear. We will rebuild. We will restore. We will renew this Texas treasure.”

Federal, state and local officials have wrapped up the on-site part of the criminal investigation. With that concluded, structural engineers and preservation experts begin the long process of restoring the home.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the roof will need to be completely replaced, but much of the interior appears to be in remarkably good condition, said Gary Jaster, a structural engineer who will be leading the beginning stages of the project.

“One of the things that I was very encouraged about – and I told the governor this Sunday afternoon – when I got in, the walls in the mansion … look to be in very good shape,” Jaster said, noting that the load-bearing walls are critical to the mansion’s survival. “We do have some brick, some masonry that has fallen in spots. We will have to do some work with the chimneys, but in the grand scheme of things, I think the walls are in very good shape right now.”

Jaster said they’ll first try to stabilize the building so workers can enter.

The main staircase also seemed to have withstood the fire, he said.

Perry had been out of the country since the Sunday morning fire left the home charred and partially collapsed. When he returned earlier this week, Perry said he was heartbroken over the damage, but he was committed to restoring the mansion no matter the cost. Texas first lady Anita Perry will likely lead the restoration effort, he said.

The Perrys had moved out of the mansion last fall for a renovation project estimated to cost $10 million. Antique furniture and other relics had been placed in storage.

In addition to a sprinkler system, the renovation project was to include new plumbing, lead paint abatement and restored windows and shutters. It was to have been completed by next spring.

Inside, paint and wallpaper had been stripped from the interior walls and experts had begun efforts to preserve the home’s ornate crown molding.

Experts said protective coverings that had been in place for the renovation may have spared the house more serious damage.

The two-story Greek Revival style house has been the official home of every Texas governor since it was completed in 1856, including Sam Houston and George W. Bush.

“To me the Governor’s Mansion has always been a recurring reminder of our state’s remarkable advance from rough and tumble, unsettled territory to a shining beacon of hope to the entire world,” Perry said.

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Associated Press reporter Kelley Shannon contributed to this report from Houston

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)