Police Say This Man Blew Up the Barrio

SAN ANGELO, TX – A man has been charged with arson after he set a yard on fire which led to an explosion that caused bodily injury to three first responders.

On April 26, San Angelo Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the 1300 block of Orient. When they arrived they found 40-year-old Gabriel Luna already at the scene attempting to put out the fire. According to the affidavit, Luna had his dog with him at the time and then the two went to the front of the house once first responders arrived.

Police say when they arrived they could see a large pile of debris that included trash, metal stands, wood, misc yard debris, and three oxygen cylinder tanks. Firefighters pulled out the hose, extinguished the fire, and began shifting the debris. This is when one of the Oxygen tanks exploded knocking two firefighters and one police officer to the ground.

The explosion caused debris to fly 10 yards away, over the fence, and on the roof of the house. Another fire started from the hot debris that landed on the roof but was quickly put out by other firefighters. The EMS were called out and all three of the first responders were taken to Shannon Medical Center for treatment.

After the fire was put out Police went through the debris and found that the house was owned by Willie Zapata Sr. that has passed. The current resident is his son Willie Zapata Jr. Police then spoke with Luna who said that he started the fire to burn the debris away.

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Once taken into custody, Luna was reportedly uncooperative and defensive. Officers at the scene also saw Luna laughing about the incident after the explosion and showed no remorse. 

Luna was arrested and charged with Arson and is currently in the Tom Green County Jail on a $8,000 bond.