PRESS RELEASE
On November 17th, 2011, at approximately 0952 Hrs, the Palestine Fire Department and Palestine Police Department responded to the 100 Block of Ferguson in reference to a suspicious house fire.
The initial investigation indicated that a witness had observed suspects, described as a heavy set female and male, entering into the residence, and believed that the house may have been rented by the couple.
Fire Department Officials discovered that the suspects appeared to have been burning insulated house wiring in the bathroom using an unknown accelerant.
The fire in the tub, according to Interim Fire Chief Alan Wilcher, apparently got out of control and set the rest of the bathroom on fire.
No one was found within the residence during the investigation, indicating that the suspects fled prior to the Fire Department and Police arriving on the scene.
There was also evidence that the house was being occupied by persons without the consent of the owner, who contacted the police department over the weekend to report the offense.
“The insulation in being burned off so that the copper can be more expediently sold to businesses that deal in precious metals.”
“We need help from the public in identifying these suspicious circumstances. If persons are carrying around spools of house wiring, and look out of place, the police need to be contacted. We need to identify these people, as we have received several reports of copper theft. A lot of it is continuing to come from vacant houses and businesses. It is a growing problem”, said Lt. Jeff Powell of the Palestine Police Department.
The case is being forwarded to the criminal investigation division for follow up investigation.
