Continued: Governor's Mansion Fire

Extended coverage of the scarring fire

Updated: Friday, 18 Feb 2011, 12:21 PM CST
Published : Monday, 16 Jun 2008, 7:38 PM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Investigators return to search Governor's Mansion

Though their investigation of the Governor's Mansion has wrapped up, state and federal authorities returned to the property in search of more clues Friday.

ATF agent Michael Reyes would not disclose what investigators were looking for, but he said preservation workers' presence would not compromise the investigation.

Meanwhile, workers set up an 8-foot security fence so crews could start storing heavy equipment and Dumpsters on the site.

"There is considerable debris within the mansion right now," said Gary Jaster, a structural engineer working at the mansion.

In what looks like a slow and methodical archeological dig, preservationists searched high and low for anything they could save.

"We're very optimistic that a large portion of the historical fabric remains," said John Volz, an architect working to preserve history at the mansion.

What won't remain is the roof. With closer access Friday, observers could see it bending just above one of the Greek columns blackened by smoke.

"There are areas up through the hallway stairwell, which you can see up to the sky," Jaster said.

Construction crews will have to build a platform inside to catch the roof as they tear it down so it does not cause any more damage, Volz said.

"The initial effort is to stabilize, dry and weatherize," Jaster said.

As workers try to measure every bit of damage, they said there will be more effort to come.

"We're working two shifts, we're working weekends, we're going to give it all we can," Jaster said.

"It's heartbreaking, but we know that we can salvage it, and they it can be repaired and have new life," Volz said.

Reyes said investigators are processing the massive amounts of data in this case and are still looking for a suspect.

State fire marshal: It's official, it's arson

The state fire marshal have confirmed what authorities suspected all along: arson at the Texas Governor's Mansion.

State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said there is video showing someone throwing a material at the door, and that the video is still being enhanced to released to the public.

The state fire marshal said his agency's still actively looking for a suspect.

The on-scene criminal investigation is now done. That means the state fire marshal and the ATF National Response team have moved out for the restoration to begin.

As for that videotape evidence, the fire marshal said you cannot make out if it is a man or a woman. He said there was an accelerant used, but is not calling it an explosion at the front door.

"We have evidence on video of an individual lighting a material (and) throwing it. It lands on the porch of the Governor's Mansion, and the fire spreads very rapidly," said Maldonado.

Questions still remained how the suspected arsonist got onto the property, and why guards didn't see the individual.

"That's part of the investigation. If you have questions regarding law-enforcement presence, you need to reach out to DPS," said Gov. Rick Perry's spokeswoman Krista Piferrer.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange refused to comment, citing the governor's security.

Meanwhile, the person that authorities say broke the secure grounds is still on the run.

"Somebody saw something, and they may not even know that what they have, the information they have, is going to help us," said Maldonado.

There is still no word from authorities on who may have done this or their motivations.

Now, the ATF and state fire marshal will continue their investigation behind the scenes, interviewing more witnesses and following leads.

Anita Pery tours Governor's Mansion after fire

Texas First Lady Anita Perry toured the damage at the mansion for the first time since Sunday's fire.

Perry spent time thanking firefighters, then walked around the outside of the mansion before waving to reporters and giving the thumbs up.

She did not make any public statement, except to shout, "We'll be back."

Commission focuses on restoring mansion

The unique architecture of the mansion will be preserved, and it will keep its historic landmark designation.

A protective coating put down during pre-fire renovations saved much of the unique Greek Revival style of architecture, known for its grand pillars.

Master builder Abner Cook completed the mansion in 1856.

"I think we can be assured that it will be a thoughtful, careful, well done restoration of this building. It's too important a building not to do it that way," said architecture historian Richard Cleary.

Abner Cook built other Austin homes, like the Pease Mansion, the Neill-Cochran House and the West Hill House, all in the same style.

Once the structure of the mansion is safe and sound, the Texas Historic Commission will head the effort to restore the inside of the mansion to its former glory.

Larry Oaks, the commission's executive director, on Thursday said the mansion will remain a Texas landmark after the restoration.

Oaks said the group is looking forward to cutting the ribbon on a perfectly restored Governor's Mansion.

He added that while crews work on stabilizing the building, the commission will have more time to figure out what must be restored and replaced.

"I hope that it won't be a big effort to convince people that this should be done that they will recognize the historic qualities and characters of the building, realize that it has become an icon, and that it is literally and visually associated with most people's connection to important places in Texas," Oaks said.

Structural engineers are making process

Now that state and federal investigators have wrapped up their on-site work, Texas structural engineers are starting to make some progress.

Thursday marked the beginning of restoration of a historic landmark.

Crews were busy hauling off debris, putting up scaffolding and salvaging what was left.

It was an emotional job for some.

"It's like having a sick child or a close family member, it's heartbreaking, but we know that we can salvage it, and that it can be repaired and have a new life," said structural engineer John Volz.

The roof, where crews found the worst damage, will have to be replaced, but the overall picture is looking much better.

Much of the credit goes to a protective coating that was put down during prefire renovations.

"The protective coverings that were installed on the floors, the door trim, the mantels and the principal stairway performed amazingly well through the fire and protected those," Volz said. "Based on preliminary assessment, they appear to be salvageable."

The first and second floors also seem to be structurally sufficient as well as the walls.

"The walls in this mansion are extremely critical," said structural engineer Gary Jaster. "They are load-bearing. They support the weight of the roof as well as the floors. From what I have seen right now, the walls seem to look in very good shape."

Crews are focusing first on stabilizing the building, drying it out and removing the protective coating.

Engineers could not give a specific timeline on when the project would be completed.

Already, $1.8 million had been spent out of the budget for the mansion's maintenance program. The renovations were anticipated to cost $10 million, so officials said there is money to cover the stabilization.

More Coverage

> Perry to ask hard questions about security at mansion

Source: Some security cameras 'not operational' at mansion

AUSTIN, Texas (STATESMAN) -- Some security cameras at the Texas Governor's Mansion were "not operational" during an early morning fire Sunday that nearly destroyed the 152-year-old state treasure, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

The source, who did not want to be identified because of the ongoing investigation, said other cameras at the property were properly working.

Another source familiar with the investigation said a lone Texas Department of Safety trooper was on duty when the fire began and was stationed at the security booth in a carriage house behind the mansion.

The source said authorities believe that trooper acted appropriately in responding to the fire.

By Tony Plohetski, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

> Restoration Plans, Cost and Taxpayer Expense, Fund started

Interior damage photos released in mansion fire