Family Shocked That Arsonist Set Deadly Fort Worth Fire
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 NEWS) - Almost everyone in the neighborhood knew 90-year-old Bobby Hubbard.
"He watched out of the neighborhood," said Darelyn Davis, close friend and neighbor to Hubbard. "When the weather was clear, he was walking up and down this block."
But neighbors, friends, family members and even investigators are stumped as to who would want him dead.
Fire investigators say an arsonist set fire to Hubbard's home late Saturday night. Firefighters tried to resuscitate Hubbard and his nephew, Thomas Wheat Jr., 67, but to no avail. Both men died at the scene. Wheat Jr. had been living with Hubbard for more than a decade. He was paralyzed with a degenerative spine disease.
Saddened family members stopped by the home.
"My poor nephew was probably in bed and he couldn't get out," said Mary Wheat, Thomas Wheat Jr.'s aunt. "It is a shock."
Investigators say several clues led them to believe it was a cased of arson but won't reveal what those clues are. Even more alarming for neighbors and family members, about 2 hours before the fire at Hubbard's home, the home of Deralyn Davis was set ablaze. Davis is the executor of Hubbard's estate and has power of attorney over his affairs.
Mary Wheat believes its not a coincidence.
"You know I can't say but I know something's wrong,"Wheat said.
Fort Worth homicide detectives were at Hubbard's home Monday but neither police nor fire department investigators are releasing any more details citing the ongoing investigation.
If you have any information that can help police, call Fort Worth Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-TIPS (8477).
