Arson suspected in Sunday blaze

Arson is suspected in an early morning fire Sunday which heavily damaged the former Stop & Go Market in Irving College.

‘According to the Collins River Fire Department which responded to the blaze, an accelerant was used to start the fire,’ said Sheriff Jackie Matheny in revealing investigators suspect the fire was intentionally set. ‘The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the case.’

The blaze was reported at 1:27 a.m. Sunday at the block-building store located at 7968 Beersheba Highway. The store itself had been out of business for a while, but there were reportedly plans to re-open the establishment. The interior of the structure sustained considerable damage while the main part of the structure remains standing.

As for who started the fire, investigators say they are waiting for results of accelerant tests being conducted by the fire marshal’s. Once the exact cause of fire is determined, investigators will likely begin questioning people of interest.