Fire Ignites Governor's Mansion In Texas

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Early Monday morning just before 2:00 a.m., the 152-year-old historical landmark was engulfed by flames, caused by what fire officials are reporting as arson. The Governor's mansion was currently under renovations and had not housed current Governor Rick Perry, since the project began last year. Perry and his family had called the Governor's mansion their home for the past eight years.

Security staff continually monitor the building and were on duty at the time of the fire, although how many were on the premises is not known at this time.

Investigators from the ATF, as well as local authorities in Austin, are currently questioning witnesses and reviewing hours of surveillance videos from both the mansion grounds itself and neighboring properties.

Damage estimates were not yet available, as historical officials and fire investigators continue to tally up the damage.

Home to 40 Texas Governors, the mansion was originally constructed ten years after Texas became an official state. Since then, it has undergone several renovations. This last one included the implementation of a sprinkler system, one which might have salvaged the historical home had the renovation taken place earlier.

Several witnesses to the fire were immediately on the scene, as reported by Austin news:

Lt. Jim Baker said the four-person crew was returning to the station after responding to a report of an unconscious person in front of a club in the 400 block of Colorado Street when they got the call.
They arrived at the mansion about two minutes later.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said a state trooper who was on the mansion's grounds as part of the regular security detail heard an alarm go off, saw flames and called the Fire Department.

Ángel Granados, a 33-year-old freelance photographer, said he was returning to his car from a concert downtown when he noticed what he thought were flames. He grabbed his camera.
"I was wondering what building it was," he said. "I was most shocked when I found out it was the Governor's Mansion."

Despite diligent efforts, by 3:30am, over 100 firefighter were fighting the blaze from truck ladders only. Austin City Water officials had to increase water pressure to compensate for the 8,000 gallons per minute being used in the battle. After five hours of fighting the massive blaze, the mansion, destroyed.

Despite the destruction, thankfully, no one was injured.

Whether it was politically motivated or a crime of some other origin, the destruction of such a profound state landmark is a sad event for the the people of Texas.