UPDATE—Feb. 13, 7:00 p.m.
After completing its investigation, the Grapevine Fire Department has determined the cause of the fire to be arson.
After reviewing security video from the scene, the Grapevine Police Department said that two individuals (now named as suspects) entered the fenced area where the fire was started. During the burglary of the storage unit and equipment shed, one suspect set fire to the equipment shed. The suspect subsequently fled the scene.
The second suspect involved in the burglary attempted to put out the fire, failed, and also fled the scene.
The fire caused approximately $75,000 in damage.
Municip al Judge Alan Wayland has signed an arrest warrant for the first suspect on the charge of arson, a second-degree felony.
ORIGINAL STORY — A late-night fire erupted at the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange's Donation Station facility in Grapevine which destroyed clothes that were in storage along with an equipment shed.
The Grapevine Fire Department arrived at the scene at 112 N. Scribner St. at 8:56 p.m. Just 14 minutes later, the fire department declared it to be under control at 9:10 p.m.
The department remained on-scene until 1:12 a.m. to make sure all hot spots were extinguished.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. GRACE Marketing and Communications Manager Heather Ortner said that the Grapevine Fire Department is still investigating the incident. The Grapevine Police Department is also questioning two suspects in connection with the fire.
Shonda Schaefer, the executive director for GRACE, said that that the fire was centered in a large storage unit. All of the clothing that was in the storage unit was lost in addition to clothing racks, sorting bins, two staging structures and an equipment shed.
According to a Ortner, Donation Station will be closed throughout the weekend as damage is assessed.
GRACE is asking for volunteers to help with the after-fire cleanup Feb. 14–15 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Volunteers are asked to bring shovels, brooms and gloves to help with the cleanup effort. Protective masks will be provided.
For more information contact Heather Ortner at 817-305-4652, or Mark Woolverton at 817-305-4654.