Fire in Hays County uncovers a body

KXAN (AUSTIN) - Texas Rangers are helping Hays County authorites investigate after firefighters found a body near Buda Saturday morning.

Just before 11 a.m., Buda firefighters responded to reports of fire at a garage in the 1100 block of Live Oak Loop.  As firefighters battled the flames, an explosion rocked the house next to the detached garage. 

"Apparently, gas was leaking in there," said Leroy Opiela, with the Hays County Sheriff's Office.

That blast shattered windows, and blew out the back wall of the home.

Firefighters put out the garage fire, and a smaller fire inside the home. Once they went inside the burned-out garage, they found a body.

"We do not know who this person is yet, " Opiela said. "That will be something for the [Medical Examiner's] office to figure out."

Investigators sealed off the scene Saturday afternoon as detectives began looking through the charred garage.   Opiela said it's not clear whether the person died in the fire, or before it started.

"I don't know that we rule out anything," Opiela said.  "It's suspicious, and we'll do a thorough investigation to find out what it is." 

"We called for some help from the Texas Rangers, just to be sure we're doing everything proper," Opiela added.