Dallas Man Charged With Felony Arson In Duplex Fire That Injured Firefighter, Killed Dog
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A Dallas man is in jail charged with felony arson after allegedly setting a fire at a duplex late Monday night, Oct. 4.
The fire happened at a duplex in the 2300 block of Elsie Faye Heggins Street in Southeast Dallas around 11:40 p.m.
When firefighters arrived at the one-story residence, heavy fire was coming from the front of the house, Dallas Fire-Rescue said.
They conducted a quick offensive attack and were able to contain the fire to the duplex structure; declaring it extinguished in under an hour.
A man and his mother were inside the home when the fire started.
Though they were able to make it out safely, they were not able to save their dog; who firefighters found dead inside the house.
Additionally, a firefighter suffered non-life-threatening burn injuries while fighting the fire.
He was taken to a local hospital, but has since been discharged to go home.
Investigators determined the fire was "incendiary in nature" and began as the result of "an open-flame device being used to ignite ordinary combustibles in the front of the home."
The suspect, Darwin Taylor, 51, was detained at a nearby gas station, with the assistance of a 911 caller, and taken into custody.
After examining the fire scene, interviewing the witnesses and conducting a voluntary interview with the suspect himself, Taylor was placed under arrest.