Governors Mansion Torched
I have visited the Governors Mansion in Austin several times in my life . The last time I visited the Mansion , I was a guest of then Governor George Bush. That past visit and those I had as a child came back to me when I was alerted that the Mansion had been set on fire . The perpetrators of this arsonist act
committed a crime against the country , this also was a national landmark. Today like most Texans , I feel a sense of sadness and anger regarding this dastardly act of evil.
Austin American-Statesman News Report
Arson is suspected in a fire that swept through the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early Sunday and left much of the 152-year-old home charred and severely damaged, the state fire marshal said.
"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."
He called it a "devastating loss to the state of Texas."
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was sending in a national response team to help investigate, Maldonado said. He did not offer details on how the fire may have been set or whether there was a suspect.
There were security cameras on the premises, and investigators are surveying the surrounding area, he said.
About 100 firefighters responded when an alarm when off just before 2 a.m. No one was inside at the time. Perry and his wife, Anita, temporarily moved out last fall when the mansion began a $10 million renovation that was scheduled to be completed next year.
For several hours they used hoses that shot 1,000 gallons of water per minute at the blaze, Black said.
Small hot spots were still smoldering more than six hours after the fire began. Puffs of smoke continued to billow from the building. Water streamed down the front sidewalk and onto a city street for hours.
State officials said they hoped that the Greek Revival-style mansion -- first occupied by Gov. Elisha Marshall Pease -- was not destroyed, but clearly damage was extensive.
"It is bordering on catastrophic. The roof has not yet collapsed. The structure is still intact," said Allison Castle, a Perry spokeswoman.
committed a crime against the country , this also was a national landmark. Today like most Texans , I feel a sense of sadness and anger regarding this dastardly act of evil.
Austin American-Statesman News Report
Arson is suspected in a fire that swept through the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early Sunday and left much of the 152-year-old home charred and severely damaged, the state fire marshal said.
"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."
He called it a "devastating loss to the state of Texas."
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was sending in a national response team to help investigate, Maldonado said. He did not offer details on how the fire may have been set or whether there was a suspect.
There were security cameras on the premises, and investigators are surveying the surrounding area, he said.
About 100 firefighters responded when an alarm when off just before 2 a.m. No one was inside at the time. Perry and his wife, Anita, temporarily moved out last fall when the mansion began a $10 million renovation that was scheduled to be completed next year.
For several hours they used hoses that shot 1,000 gallons of water per minute at the blaze, Black said.
Small hot spots were still smoldering more than six hours after the fire began. Puffs of smoke continued to billow from the building. Water streamed down the front sidewalk and onto a city street for hours.
State officials said they hoped that the Greek Revival-style mansion -- first occupied by Gov. Elisha Marshall Pease -- was not destroyed, but clearly damage was extensive.
"It is bordering on catastrophic. The roof has not yet collapsed. The structure is still intact," said Allison Castle, a Perry spokeswoman.
posted by EdGray4America.com at
3:53 PM
3 Comments:
Jun. 11, 2008
Text of Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks: Fire at the Governor's Mansion
(NOTE: Gov. Perry frequently deviates from prepared text.)
Good morning. I have seen many things in my time as governor, but few sights have left a deeper impression on me than the charred remains of this genuine Texas treasure standing behind me. As I consider what was done to this once-majestic home, my heart aches beyond words.
As a Texan, I am angry that a part of my state’s heritage has been attacked. As a governor, I am saddened that a place that my family has called home has been so badly damaged.
I cannot begin to understand what would motivate someone to do this, but I do know that they will be caught, and they will be prosecuted for what they have done.
This beautiful structure has stood for more than 150 years as a symbol of our state’s commitment to representative government. A home where great Texans like Sam Houston, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, and Bill Clements once lived.
And as the current governor of this great state, I am committed to making sure that this tragedy will be but a small mark on the timeline of our state’s remarkable history. We will restore. We will renew. And we will rebuild this magnificent structure so that future generations may gaze upon its beauty and appreciate its history.
Texans have always rallied to a challenge. Be it a hurricane like Katrina and Rita or a space shuttle falling from the sky, Texas does not shrink from a tragedy. And we will meet this challenge as well.
For more than 150 years, this mansion has been a symbol of power and prestige for the greatest state in the union, and it will be again.
For more than 150 years, this has been a home where children have slid down the banister, chased their pets, and grown to adulthood. A place where families have celebrated holidays and welcomed friends…and it will be again.
For more than 150 years, this building has been the one constant as 40 different governors have passed through its doors, and it will be again.
For more than 150 years, the Texas Governors Mansion has been the home of good people, with grand ideas for a great state, and it will be again.
By EMILY RAMSHAW / The Dallas Morning News
eramshaw@dallasnews.com
Fire marshal: Video shows person setting fire at Texas Governor's Mansion
AUSTIN — The state fire marshal confirmed Thursday that surveillance video shows a person igniting something and hurling it onto the front porch of the mansion moments before a four-alarm fire at the historic Texas Governor's Mansion.
State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said state and federal investigators were working to enhancing the video footage and the image of the individual’s face. Officials said Thursday the video would not be made public at this time.
Mr. Maldonado said the black-and-white and color video surveillance collected from the scene shows one individual coming onto the mansion grounds, lighting an incendiary material and throwing it onto the front porch
Thumbs up good post . God Bless America .
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