   |
 |
Fire Crews Search For Clues In String of Mystery Fires, Family Speaks
Friday Weather Update
Sunny And Hot Conditions Continue 5/17/13
Sunny skies and hot temperatures are expected through much of the weekend. Record heat is possible today.
Sunny skies and hot temperatures are expected through much of the weekend. Record heat is possible today.
Fire Crews Search For Clues In String of Mystery Fires, Family Speaks 9/24/12
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
September 24, 2012
MIDLAND, TX- Midland fire fighters are investigating a string of fires happening at one home in the 1600 block of Pine Avenue.
The search for the start of the flames is puzzling fire officials. There were no lighters, no matches and no obvious cause for these fires. The last of which destroyed a Midland family's home, leaving them in desperate need of help.
" I was bathing and when suddenly it began to smell smoke and more smoke and more smoke and I left out, put on a towel, and ran out quickly outside. Then everything, the sofa and the mini-blinds started to fall,” said homeowner, Alicia Alvarado.
Now only ashes and mangled appliances are left, after a fire mysterious burned through their home. Fire officials say there are no clear signs to how this fire started. They say what makes this case so strange is that it’s the 3rd fire at this home in less than 15 days. The first two fires started in a bed and the second on their couch.
"Another time, the bed! When I heard, I thought it was a little flame like this, but it was like someone had poured out an immense amount of gasoline," stated homeowner, Juan Jose Robles.
The fire was so strong that it flashed over in the living room, blowing out their front windows. Fire officials say they believe an arsonist started this fire.
"Somebody started that fire. That's what we're trying to figure out exactly how, how they did it. The sofa fire was so damaged, because the room actually flashed over, destroying all our evidence," said Ben Peña, a Midland Fire Inspector.
Fire officials say it was difficult to determine the source because there were no electrical plugs, matches, or gasoline nearby. They say the fire quickly spread from the living room and traveled down the hall, leaving smoke damage through out the home.
"Normally people don't even have a natural fire at their homes. But you have more than one, two or three ... It's very suspicious. Something is going on there. Somebody is starting a fire," said Peña.
Now officials are left to piece together this puzzle of a string of unexplainable fires.