Posted on 06/08/2008 2:50:44 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
AUSTIN, Texas -- Arson is suspected in the fire that struck the historic Texas Governor's Mansion early today, 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.
The mansion is a national historic landmark.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
ping.
bkmark for later. thanks
I am very sad about this.
Me too, Ditter. Are you in Austin? I’m going there next Thursday and will try to drive by the mansion if time allows.
This makes me sick. I can’t imagine why anyone would do this to a historic landmark.
Because W used to live there?
Someone needs to find out where Willie Jessop was at the time the fire was started...
Find out if the perp. hates Bush. If so, proceed to prosecute as a hate crime. Liberals can't have it both ways.
Maybe Perry can outsource the rebuilding to some company in Spain; seeing as they will be here already working on the TTC.
Gabz, I am thinking of a tag line, how about “The nose knows”?
I got a small look at the damage on yahoo..It sounds bad..I hope you get a look.
I am,too.
Governor Perry says that the LDS group should move somewhere else and they must have gotten offended.
Plano, TX: "Officials lay bricks in symbolic start for Muslim center" Dallas Morning News
PLANO – The Ismaili Muslim community announced Tuesday that it is building a $6.5 million worship and community center in Plano, where it has found a warm welcome.
Gov. Rick Perry flew in to lay the first ceremonial brick for the center's foundation. It was a symbolic gesture since the site for the new center will be a few miles northeast of the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, where the foundation ceremony was held.
The governor, who is friends with the Ismaili Muslims' spiritual leader, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, said he was honored to participate.
Ditter, I read about your nose on another thread. You would be a very handy person to have around. It’s been years since I went to the mansion and I’ve always thought the exterior is gorgeous. Not sure if I will be able to get a look this week but I have to admit I’m curious and I know it will sadden me.
Sorry. I’m having to do this in 2 posts. Texas...the Governor probably has many enemies for whatever reasons. Not to mention the walking disturbed. It may even turn out as accidental. Let’s just wait and see what the investigation turns up, ok?
As I understand it, and I am NOT an expert on Islam or any other religion, the Ismali Muslims are a breed apart from the Sunnis and Shiites. In general, I think Ismalis are better educated, better businessmen, more mainstream.
Maybe a lot of the lower and some of the upper structure can be rebuilt upon.
It’s on the news now..all but gutted..Thanks for the pictures..So sad.
All historic treasures were in storage for renovation..
I was relieved to read the treasures had been removed. I would guess we will have to wait for the engineers and architects to inspect the structure to see what can be saved. It’s always sad to see a piece of history damaged.
Yeah.
Are you sure he said LDS or FLDS?
There is a tremendous difference!
Indeed
Oh wow. Thanks for the pix : (
FLDS
Thank you for posting the photo of the mansion.
How neat for you. I’ve only been to one FReep and I didn’t hang around long because it was hotter than hell. I’m talking heat stroke hot. It was in Crawford a few Augusts ago when Mother Sheehan was holding court.
I am a Texan..and am upset..but, like you, hate to see our history destroyed anywhere..
You are most welcome for the picture..I wanted others to see how lovely it was.
Haha, yes I’m a heat wimp. It was miserably hot. I got out of my air conditioned car for about 45 minutes and then got back in it and headed home. My goal from June through September is to step from one air conditioned area to another.
What’s this, a liberal so stupid he thinks W still lives there?
Careless use of propane torches results in many structure fires;some new McMansions near Cincinnati have gone up before ever being lived in.Ordinary homes get plastic plumbing but finer structures get soldered copper piping.Too often the worker fails to note the flame is reaching well beyond the soldered joint and charring the wood ....which smolders for a while,then bursts into flames.Several farmers around here lost barns one severe winter from thawing frozen water pipes with those portable torches.I also saw a commercial building set on fire by the roofers hot tar kettle!
You have a smart sister. I remember trying to get into The Coffee Station to cool off but it was packed with people, same for The Yellow Rose. I was having murderous thoughts about Cindy Sheehan.
Yet.
The perp had better hope his address never gets posted.
Actually there were two that I went to. The first..I didn’t stay long either. The 2nd was when we had the tent and JR was there.
We ate at the cafe the first time. I was told we could wait for a table in back or sit “over there”. So I in my FR shirt sat across from a guy wearing a “dumb and dumber” shirt. Turns out he was camping out at the camp and the weather was getting to him too.
You must be referring to the larger, second FReep. It was hot, but there was plenty of shade and plenty of cool water to drink. Not so very bad. I got my few seconds of fame on Fox. I was sitting right behind Jim Robinson, and they of course showed the founder and owner of Free Republic.
I was at the first Crawford FReep as well. And yet again at Waco and Crawford when the Move America Forward group came through. Bought a book and had it autographed by Lt. Col Buzz Paterson, BJ Clinton's military aide.
Around here we need security just to guard the copper.
Isn’t he White House painted white because in was gutted by fire in 1812 by the British leaving only some of the exterior walls? An act of war and arson aren’t the same but fire burns the same foe both.
Yes, it was the larger FReep because Jim Robinson was there. I wish I’d met both of you.
It's a terrible shame. I wish it HAD been an accidental fire -- sad that there are folks so mean in the world that they would burn down a beautiful historic building.
It was 104 that day in crawford
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