Suspected Arsonist Arrested in Dangerous Wildfire

 

EASTLAND, TX —The Eastland County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a large fire in Eastland that authorities believe was intentionally set on Saturday evening.

According to KTXS, the fire burned east of the Walmart, north of Old Bankhead Hwy, behind Taco Casa and La Hacienda, and west of County Road 436.

Fire Chief David Branch told local media a person of interest had been taken into custody by officers of the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office. According to reports the individual lives near where the fire was ignited and was seen hopping a fence and attempting to break into cars in a parking lot nearby.

The suspect has been released after being taken into custody, but authorities believe he may have set several small fires that joined together.

The Texas A&M Forest Service will be conducting an investigation and looking into surveillance cameras in the area.

The fire was under control by 11:00 p.m., but hot spots continued to burn after midnight. No structures were damaged by the fire.

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