County Fire Marshal suspects arson in recent grassfires

  Parker County Fire Marshal Shawn Scott suspects arson was the cause of Friday’s 52 acre grassfire near the 3900 block of Old Agnes Road the destroyed 80 bales of hay.

  In fact, Scott suspects that same arsonist may be responsible for numerous fires in the area just north of Weatherford referred to as the Central Volunteer Fire District, numerous fires over the span of the last two to three years.

  “We have had a series of fires in the Central Fire District that have all originated on the side of the road,” Scott said. “We suspect arson because we have been unable to find any natural cause for these fires.”

  Scott said he and other arson investigators have come to the conclusion that an arsonist is behind the fire after extensive study and investigation of the fires.

  Fire officials have tested various theories in an attempt to find some natural way these fires could have started and have continually come to the conclusion that the fires were purposefully set.

  “We are seeing these types of fires, starting right at the edge of a road, in a very concentrated area,” Scott said. “They nearly always seem to happen on high fire danger days, meaning days with high winds and low humidity.”

  The fires have commonly been followed by another fire within an hour of the first fire. The secondary fires are usually within a couple of miles of the initial fire, according to Scott.

  “I really feel we are being toyed with and I can promise you that this is no joking matter,” he said. “We have been lucky up to this point that no one has been hurt. It is only by the grace of God and the good work of the fire departments that we have kept the fires from getting to people’s homes.”

  Scott said he needs the general public to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

  “Whoever is doing this is putting the lives of the general public at risk, all because some individual wants to set a fire on the side of the road,” Scott said. “It is very cowardly if you ask me. We will catch him one way or another but at this point we do need the help of the general public. We need them to be aware of their surroundings and call us if they see anything suspicious.”

  Tips or information can be reported to the Parker County Fire Marshall’s Office by calling 817-598-0969

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