A raging fire that authorities say was intentionally set ripped through parts of the Texas Governor's Mansion early today, severely damaging parts of the historic building that has served as the home of the state's top official for more than a century.
No injuries were reported.
State officials said during a news conference this morning that they have launched a massive investigation to find the person responsible for setting the 1:45 a.m. fire and that a team of national experts from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been dispatched to Austin to assist them.
"We're going to come get the person responsible for causing this damage," State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said.
Tragic. The Governor's Mansion is 150 years old, and was built by Abner Cook, the architect who adapted Greek Revival style to the city of Austin and its environs. Sam Houston himself lived in that mansion.
UPDATE: Here are photos courtesy of the Statesman. Oy, this hurts.
2 comments:
man, that is just rough. I'm going to call my aunt who lives down there and see what's up.
If this was indeed an arson with the specific intent of damaging the mansion, it should be considered an act of terrorism and treated as such. Ironically, I'd bet that we're not up against any middle-easterners here.
Yeah, I doubt it, too. Like most acts of domestic terrorism, this one doesn't exactly bear the marks of Al Qaeda.
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