Fire at youth athletic storage facility ruins equipment for upcoming year

HOUSTON – An arsonist torched a concession stand and storage facility for a youth athletic group and park in northwest Houston, park officials confirmed Friday.

A cinder block shell was all that remained of the building, owned by Inwood Youth Association and park, which is located on the 7100 block of Woodsman Trail.

"It's a mess in here," said David Jackson, a long time coach with the organization. "We lost quite a bit," Jackson continued.

Jackson said since Monday's fire, the organization has tried to salvage all it can. Jackson removed a deadbolt from a warehouse filled with water-logged, smoke-damaged equipment: football pads, helmets, and other supplies.

"We have a lot of shoulder pads and helmets that are pretty messed up," Jackson said.

The kitchen area of the concession stand was ruined. Fryers, a microwave, and other serving equipment lay charred on a muddy, water and soot-carpeted floor.

"This is a family-oriented park. We've been here for over 40 years. We have kids who have played at the park and they're back and coaching at the park," Jackson said.

Vandals set fire to a concession stand and storage facility that belongs to a neighborhood park. Inwood Youth Association has served children from the Inwood neighborhood of northwest Houston for decades. Park leaders say someone set fire to the organization's concession stand Monday. Along with kitchen equipment, many uniforms were damaged. Houston Police Arson Division is investigating. Meantime, Inwood Youth Association has established a Go Fund Me page to help raise money for repairs. https://www.gofundme.com/REBUILDCONCESSIONSTAND

Posted by KPRC2 Brandon Walker on Friday, January 20, 2017

While arson investigators with the Houston Police Department have ruled arson as the cause, it was unclear Friday whether there were any suspects.

Inwood Youth Association serves roughly 150 boys and girls in the Inwood neighborhood of northwest Houston. Jackson said spring training for the upcoming football season has been placed on hold, for now, as the organization works to clean up after the fire.

"We're OK as long as we're breathing," Jackson said as he surveyed the damage.

Inwood Youth Association has established a Go Fund Me page to help raise money for repairs.

Jackson told KPRC2 he was eager to rebuild and move forward.

"I want to continue to be here, you know? I've been here for 27 years now. My kids have come through this program. Now, my grandkids. So, I'm blessed," he said.

Houston Police Department's Arson Division is investigating. Call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS with information that could help the investigation.