Hearth that gutted century-outdated Texas courthouse was set intentionally suspect in custody

MASON, Texas (KWTX) – Only the stone partitions were standing Friday following fire gutted the extra than century-aged Mason County courthouse overnight.

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The fire that gutted the more than century-outdated courthouse was established intentionally, authorities reported.

The fireplace that broke out Thursday evening, evidently on the second floor of the 111-yr-aged creating, was set intentionally, authorities said Friday.

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A male was taken into custody in connection with the fire outside of Mason, Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden said early Friday afternoon.

The male is also believed to have set a fireplace at a dwelling in Mason in advance of the courthouse fireplace broke out, he explained.

It was not very clear Friday night whether the suspect to whom Bearden referred was the same guy who led dozens of officers from many organizations on a superior-velocity chase on Interstate 35 from Georgetown to the southern edge of Waco.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara verified the gentleman arrested after the chase was desired in connection with the courthouse hearth and determined him as Nicholas Jarrett Miller, 41.

Firefighters ended up at the scene of the home fireplace when they obtained a get in touch with from the dispatch office throughout the avenue from the courthouse, Bearden claimed.

The dispatcher advised them flames were being coming from the 2nd flooring of the creating.

The flames speedily spread.

“The 2nd flooring, the 3rd floor and the roof were being fully engulfed in a matter of minutes. You could see it from miles away,” Bearden reported.

Crews from several businesses responded, but they weren’t equipped to save the setting up.

“What we have now are 111-year-aged partitions,” Bearden claimed.

“It’s just a awful tragedy for the people today right here in the county.”

Preparations have been underway for renovations at the time of the hearth and county information and documents had been moved to yet another web page, but the Mason County News reviews the fire destroyed antique home furniture such as desks and judges’ benches.

“With God’s blessing, we’re going to be again ,” Bearden explained to the newspaper.

Building of the courthouse started off in 1909 and was finished the subsequent calendar year.

The courthouse is the county’s 3rd.

The first, built in 1872, and the next, designed in 1900, both also burned.

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