Authorities have arrested a man on an arson charge following his alleged involvement in a fire that killed a dog and injured a firefighter in South Dallas.
Firefighters responded to the scene of a fire on Monday, Oct. 4, in the 2300 block of Elsie Faye Heggins Street, near South Central Expressway in South Dallas.
According to Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans, firefighters were able to put out the fire in a little less than an hour. The fire was burning heavily in front of the one-story duplex at the time of the firefighters’ arrival.
Evans revealed that an investigation into the cause of the blaze found that it was started by someone igniting combustible materials in front of the house.
Authorities detained 51-year-old Darwin Shun Taylor at a nearby gas station with help from the individual who called 911 about the fire. Evans said Taylor was arrested on an arson charge after an interview with the investigators.
Taylor remained in custody as of Tuesday, Oct.5, in the Dallas County jail. His bail has not been set, and no details were provided about his attorney.
A woman and her son who were in the house escaped the burning building unharmed. Firefighters, however, found their dog dead inside the home.
Evans added that one firefighter was injured while trying to put out the fire. The firefighter was released following treatment at a hospital.