Fire Officials Rule South Austin Duplex Fire As Arson

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- Fire officials have ruled that a fire that broke out Sunday morning that left seven residents displaced from their homes was intentionally set, according to a published report.

Fire Division Chief Palmer Buck told the Austin American-Statesman that the South Austin duplex fire at 6201 Hillforest Drive was the result of arson. The blaze resulted in no injuries, but caused about $160,000 in damage in terms of structure damage and destroyed contents, the newspaper reported.

Fire department crews were alerted to the fire just after 10 a.m. on Sunday, Buck said. The "B" side of the complex sustained the most damage, Buck told the paper.

According to the Statesman, a person of interest in the arson case has been identified. For the time being, however, fire officials aren't identifying him pending the outcome of their ongoing investigation, the Statesman noted in its report.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Image: Shutterstock