All Rights Reserved. Small hot spots were still being extinguished more than five hours later. "They offered a reward,” Cox said. RELATED: Governor's mansion fire remains unsolved. The mansion’s oldest campfire tale dates back to its earliest days. The Mansion was empty and all its prized contents in storage, but significant structural and … The fight to save the pillar of Texas history began around 1 a.m. Crews got the call for a fire near 10th and Lavaca streets. They are scheduled to return Tuesday. All of those ended up failing.". 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 mansion is a national historic landmark. "To this day, I am still surprised that building actually made it out," Reardon said. Perry and his family were away on a trade mission to Europe. The mansion had a fire alarm but no sprinkler system. On June 8, 2008, an arsonist used a … The First Family, Rick and Anita Perry, was not living in the Governor's Mansion at the time due to the renovations. Reardon was among the dozens of firefighters who battled the four-alarm fire. Andy Reardon of the Austin Fire Department. Texas Governor's Mansion reborn after arson fire. "The only thing I could think of was the Governor's Mansion," said Capt. Download it here. The structure is still intact," said Allison Castle, a Perry spokeswoman. AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ten years have passed since the Texas Governor’s Mansion was nearly burned to the ground in a massive fire. Black said installation of a fire suppression system was among the renovations that began in October. First published on June 8, 2008 / 2:48 PM. June 8, 2008: An Arsonist Sets Fire to the Mansion. If you’re looking for ghosts, check out the Texas Governor’s Mansion. Allan Turner , HOUSTON CHRONICLE. They had relocated in October 2007 for a $10 million major deferred maintenance project that began in January 2008. COVID-19/Coronavirus News & Announcements. The project was to include a fire suppression system. State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said the next Sunday that investigators had evidence that an arsonist targeted the 152-year-old building. Luckily, no one was living there at the time due to a major renovation project. That’s when a man with a Molotov cocktail set fire to the historic home that's stood since 1854. "We have some evidence that indicates that we do have an intentionally set fire," said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado. 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. Perry and his wife were in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday as part of a European trip. The mansion grounds were also littered with large trenches from the renovation work. © 2008 The Associated Press. A fire swept through the historic Texas governor's mansion in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 8, 2008, leaving much of the 152-year-old building charred and severely damaged. "It is bordering on catastrophic. "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 today shows no signs of the peril it faced June 8, 2008. Nov. 11, 2011 Updated: Nov. 11, 2011 10:30 p.m. 18. Officials would not comment on how many security officers were present when the fire started. 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 … In some places, white paint had burned away to reveal the original color of the brick. Then-Governor Rick Perry and his wife Anita Thigpen Perry were in Europe at the time of the fire. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. “They ended up showing the video of the guy actually throwing the Molotov cocktail, hoping that would generate some leads. There was no immediate financial estimate of the damage. The Texas Governor's Mansion, also known simply as Governor's Mansion is a historic home for the Governor of Texas in downtown Austin, Texas.It was built in 1854, designed by prominent architect Abner Cook, and has been the home of every governor since 1856.. On June 8, 2008, while midway through a major renovation, the mansion was badly damaged by an arson fire started with a Molotov cocktail. That meant fewer security guards were on site at the time. AUSTIN, Texas – Arson is suspected in a fire that swept through the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early Sunday and left much of the 152 … Arson is suspected in a fire that swept through the historic Texas governor's mansion earlySunday, leaving much of the 152-year-old building charred and severely damaged, the … 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. RELATED: Governor's mansion fire remains unsolved. "It could just be someone who is angry at government in general, and that is a pretty large group," Cox said. "Working with different pieces of digital evidence, trying to find important things," Cox said. Copyright © 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Investigators searched social media for any posts hinting at a possible attack on the mansion but found nothing. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was sending in a team to help investigate, Maldonado said. Two white front porch swings appeared to be unscathed. On June 8, 2008, the Governor's Mansion was severely damaged by arson. RELATED: DPS releases sketches, video from Governor's Mansion fire Video showed the distinct image of a person throwing an object at the front door of the mansion followed by a … The mansion today shows no signs of the peril it faced June 8, 2008. The mansion had been undergoing a $10 million renovation, and Perry and his wife, Anita, had moved out last fall. (Spectrum News/File), California Consumer Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Rick Perry. 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 … 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. With full-bodied apparitions, phantom footsteps, and inexplicable sounds, this estate will keep you on your toes. An arsonist set fire to the Governor's Mansion, causing significant structural and architectural damage. Perry and his family were away on a trade mission to Europe. The roof has not yet collapsed. "They built them pretty sturdy back then," Black said. No one was inside the 152-year-old mansion at the time, said Robert Black, a spokesman for Gov. A suspicious fire ripped through the Texas governor’s mansion in downtown Austin on Sunday, heavily damaging the 152-year-old building. However, the roof had buckled in places and the building was blackened, including parts of the six 29-foot columns standing at the front. "So we believe that we may be looking at a criminal act here.". That’s when a man with a Molotov cocktail set fire to the historic home that's stood since 1854. But the search for the suspect is still unsolved. Is the Texas Governor’s Mansion Haunted? About 100 firefighters were sent to the four-alarm blaze, Fire Department spokeswoman Dawn Clopton said. Ultimately leading to a case that is seemingly at a dead end. If no charges are brought within that statute of limitations, it can't be prosecuted," Cox said. "Nonetheless, it's taken quite a beating this morning.". AUSTIN, Texas -- It's been 10 years since an arsonist nearly burned down the Texas Governor's Mansion. AUSTIN, Texas -- It's been 10 years since an arsonist nearly burned down the Texas Governor's Mansion. Learn More. But on the night of the fire, Gov. "After we had been spraying water for 30 minutes on it, those trenches basically became motes," Reardon said.​. Luckily, no one was living there at the time due to a major renovation project. The careful restoration of the historic Texas Governor’s Mansion, nearly obliterated in 2008 when an arsonist tossed a Molotov cocktail on the front porch, will soon be complete. "We pulled up. The governor was told about the fire, Black said. Gregg Cox was the head of Travis County's Special Prosecutions Division at the time and focused on getting everyone to work together. "There was fencing up that we had to get through to actually be able to get our hoses up to where we needed to get them," Gall said. Gall said crews faced hurdles the moment they arrived. Ghosts of the Texas Governor’s Mansion. Our new Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. But on the night of the fire, Gov. Click the video link above to watch Capital Tonight’s special program looking back at the fire, the investigation and the first responders who worked to save it. Authorities said on Thursday they believe the arson fire that destroyed the governor's mansion here two years ago was set by suspects tied to an anarchist group linked to … The pre-Civil War estate built of thick wood beams had no sprinkler system at the time. 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The mansion was partially destroyed by a four-alarm fire during the early morning of June 8, 2008. Texas officials suspect that arson caused a fire that ripped through the state governor’s mansion in Austin on Sunday, heavily damaging the 152-year-old structure. 100 firefighters responded to the four-alarm blaze, and it took an estimated two million gallons of water to put out the fire. They said there is no evidence any direct threat to the governor was intended. "It's a 10-year statute of limitations. 1 of 18. Black said some interior ornamentation was damaged beyond repair. The Texas Governor's Mansion is heavily damaged from a fire on June 8, 2008. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. The Texas governor’s mansion sustained heavy damage after a fire on June 8, 2008. Crews battled the fire into the next morning from the ground, inside and above. The governor uses the mansion as a home and for official functions, such as hosting heads of state or dignitaries. We just saw a lot of flames, a lot of fire on the front porch area where the front door is," Gall recalled. State officials said they hoped the Greek Revival-style mansion had not been destroyed, but the damage clearly was extensive. After more than two years of tracking down leads, investigators released sketches of a possible suspect. He and Fire Specialist Kelly Gall still work at Austin Fire Department's Downtown Station. (Photo: Volz and Associates) It was shortly before 2 a.m. on June 8, 2008, when the 150-year-old Texas governor’s mansion went up in flames. 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. 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