HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department is cracking down on a series of fires in Memorial Park, and while one person has been arrested, arson investigators believe there may be more people involved.
On Monday, HFD Chief Thomas Munoz, arson investigators, and wildland firefighters gathered at Rally Pavilion to provide an update on the series of fires at the park and the Houston Arboretum nearby that have occurred over the past several months.
Dustin Schlain, 45, was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of arson, which is a second-degree felony.
While the fires were small, officials warn that these have posed a significant threat to both the park and visitors. Munoz said there were some damages to vegetation but no structures.
“We remain dedicated to not only protecting Houstonians but also our city’s cherished spaces,” Chief Muñoz said in a statement. " This arrest demonstrates the exceptional investigative work of our HFD Arson Investigators, whose dedication to pursuing those who endanger our community helps keep Houston safe.”
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“I want to thank the HFD Arson Bureau for their swift response in identifying someone who caused harm to one of our city’s parks and for their continued service in keeping Houstonians safe each and every day,” Mayor John Whitmire added.
Schlain has been tied to at least two fires in and around the Memorial Park area.