Fire Damages Texas Governor's Mansion

No Injuries But Damage "Bordering On Catastrophic" Reported In Suspected Arson

(AP)  Arson is suspected in the fire that struck the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early Sunday, causing damage that state officials described as "bordering on catastrophic," the state fire marshal said.

No one was inside the 152-year-old mansion at the time, said Robert Black, a spokesman for Gov. Rick Perry. The mansion had been undergoing a $10 million renovation, and Perry and his wife, Anita, had moved out last fall.

"We have some evidence that indicates that we do have an intentionally set fire," said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. "So we believe that we may be looking at a criminal act here."

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was sending in a team to help investigate, Maldonado said. He did not give details on how the fire may have been set or whether there was a suspect, but said there were security cameras on the premises.

State officials said they hoped the Greek Revival-style mansion had not been destroyed, but the damage clearly was extensive.

"It is bordering on catastrophic. The roof has not yet collapsed. The structure is still intact," said Allison Castle, a Perry spokeswoman.

However, the roof had buckled in places and the building was blackened, including parts of the six 29-foot columns standing at the front. In some places, white paint had burned away to reveal the original color of the brick.

"They built them pretty sturdy back then," Black said. "Nonetheless, it's taken quite a beating this morning."

Black said some interior ornamentation was damaged beyond repair. Two white front porch swings appeared to be unscathed. There was no immediate financial estimate of the damage.

The mansion is a national historic landmark. Built in 1856, it is the oldest continually used executive residence west of the Mississippi, according to the group Friends of the Governor's Mansion, which works to preserve and show the public the historic building.

About 100 firefighters were sent to the four-alarm blaze, Fire Department spokeswoman Dawn Clopton said. Small hot spots were still being extinguished more than five hours later.

A state trooper who was on the grounds as part of regular security detail heard the mansion's fire alarm, saw flames and called the fire department, said Tela Mange, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Officials would not comment on how many security officers were present when the fire started. They said there is no evidence any direct threat to the governor was intended.

Perry and his wife were in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday as part of a European trip. They are scheduled to return Tuesday.

The governor was told about the fire, Black said. "His first concern was if anyone got hurt," Black said, adding that Perry also expressed sadness over "the loss of a Texas treasure."

The mansion had a fire alarm but no sprinkler system. Black said installation of a fire suppression system was among the renovations that began in October.

The large trees surrounding the mansion, which sits on a lot the size of a city block, made it difficult for firefighters to position their equipment, Clopton said.

The governor uses the mansion as a home and for official functions, such as hosting heads of state or dignitaries.

[kansas1946]

This is a monumental loss for our country. This is where President Bush did a lot of important work, work so important that our very existance would not be if it were not sucessfully completed. Also I didnt see it mentioned but does anyone know if the pen that was used to sign the no child left behind act was saved from the flames? Thanks in advance.


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Posted by gopsoccermom at 08:51 AM : Jun 09, 2008
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This is a joke, right??

[rbburnerjr]

It must have been a real dummy to try to burn the governor''s mansion. Bush doesn''t live there anymore!

[michellem99-2009]

Oh I get it. Bush has blood on his paws. MCVet yep. Yer said it. The building did not cause the means of this. A dumb asre did. I was raised to tell the truth by my vet Dad. I am a Maine hillbilly. I don''t care who is in the govt but they got no business lying to us changing thingd that is not right.

[displeased]

gopsoccermom is on a roll today. You ever thought about doing stand up comedy?

[joe_from_pa]

"whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...."; "when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Did we forget or did they?

[gopsoccermom]

raflin1, we have to fight those who wish to destroy us. The liberals would have us become another Carthage.

[gopsoccermom]

raflin1, I did not wish death on anyone. The only person wishing death here was zoe. Had you had reading and comprehension skills you would have seen that. But that''''s the difference between conservatives and liberals.....

[gopsoccermom]

zoe2006, my house wouldnt burn because I pray and God would keep the flames away.

[acolton1]

*** I wish It had been MUDROSE house that had burned with him in it then we would be rid of that IDIOT who only knows how to CUT and PASTE and say the same POOP over and over and over again.

Good Ridance Mudrose.

[yankeerebel7]

Wow, you people have deep-rooted psychological issues. Put down the Bush hatorade already.

[gopsoccermom]

This is a monumental loss for our country. This is where President Bush did a lot of important work, work so important that our very existance would not be if it were not sucessfully completed. Also I didnt see it mentioned but does anyone know if the pen that was used to sign the no child left behind act was saved from the flames? Thanks in advance.

[mcvet]

How incredibly sick and twisted are people who say they want Bush, a democratically elected American president, to be burned alive....yet are against waterboarding terrorist suspects to obtain critical intelligence?

Says a lot about one''''s character.


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Posted by yankeerebel7 at 12:59 AM : Jun 09, 2008
+ report abuse

No?! It says a lot about a low life piece of Nazi Trash LYING himself into office! It''s hard NOT to hate someone who is a fraud and incompetent, who has started a War without cause and completely distroyed a Nation. Now that I think about it why don''t you hate the scum??? SIEG HEIL BUSH!!

[haoli25]

Bush, a democratically elected American president, Posted by yankeerebel7


correction, a Supreme Court appointed president.

[yankeerebel7]

How incredibly sick and twisted are people who say they want Bush, a democratically elected American president, to be burned alive....yet are against waterboarding terrorist suspects to obtain critical intelligence?

Says a lot about one''s character.

[michellem99-2009]

Let me say this every one has a right to their/our say. Ye think it is just for few..every body is free to post.Yet ye are so worried about our health..thank ye. This is where we can share.

[oneworldusa]

Why were there no guards in a Head of State building? Someone will be answering to that.

[barbaraf4]

I used to live in Austin. The antiques and museum pieces in this building were priceless. I hope they were moved to a safe place while the renovation was in progress.

[wlmrtpatriot]

You regulars here are obsessed, I mean you are totally obsessed. You are so adept at talking among yourselves you don''t realize there are articles posted that some people would like to comment about.
Do you have mental health coverage?

[sgtrds-e4]

And I can''''t for the life of me figure out what we get in return for the billions of dollars a year we give them.

Posted by WogerWabbit at 07:00 PM : Jun 08, 2008

9-11

[wogerwabbit]

You can tell who they are when they show their hatred over anything Israel and anything president Bush, VP Cheney or any of his cabinet.
Posted by edintex at 06:06 PM

One doesn''t have to be a terrorist to hate Bush and Cheney, one just needs an IQ above 30. I don''t hate Israel at all, but I certainly don''t have the same respect for them I had 40 years ago when they were the good guys. And I can''t for the life of me figure out what we get in return for the billions of dollars a year we give them.