Accused Arsonist Arrested for Setting Fire to Ex's Apartment

SAN ANGELO — A San Angelo man was arrested after allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's  apartment following a day long argument. 

According to court documents, on February 19, 2023, a call for service was made at 4901 Ben Ficklin Road for a structure fire in an apartment. Investigators spoke with responding officers who advised that he did have video surveillance available as well as the suspect, Ignacio Gonzalez, detained.

Investigators spoke with the victim, who stated she leaves her apartment unlocked and that she was contacted by her sister. Her sister told her Gonzalez was at her apartment. The victim immediately returned to her apartment and when she opened the door, a cloud of smoke emerged from inside and she called 911.

The victim told investigators that Gonzalez was the father to her child and that he had been messaging her non-stop on Facebook the day prior to this incident.

A witness advised he was outside the apartment complex when he observed Gonzalez leave and saw smoke coming from the apartment.

Fire Investigator Chris Christian took the investigator inside the apartment and was shown the items that were set on fire. Christian advised that the fire was out by the time he arrived, and the fire may have burned itself out. He also advised investigators that this was a man-made fire and was not accidental.

Investigators were taken into the office where video surveillance was observed. In the security footage, Gonzalez was seen entering the apartment around 1:40 p.m. and was seen leaving it around 2:00 p.m. No other individual was seen entering or leaving the apartment after Gonzalez until first responders arrived.

Gonzalez refused to comment on the incident to investigators. He was arrested and booked into the Tom Green County Detention Facility on February 19, 2023, and has a $50,000 bond.