ATF Rules San Marcos Apartment Fire Was Set Intentionally

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — Federal investigators and officials in Hays County have determined that the fire at the Iconic Village Apartments that killed five people in July was intentionally set. Officials with the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office, the Hays County District Attorney's Office and the ATF announced their findings at a press conference in San Marcos on Friday.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski said investigators with the ATF National Response team conducted an extensive forensic investigation, which determined the fire was not accidental.

The team spent 10 days going over that scene, with samples collected and taken to the ATF National Laboratory for more testing. Milanowski said investigators also conducted testing and recreated the fire at the National Fire Research Laboratory.

Based on those results, ATF officials said they believe the fire was not an accident.

"The ATF is classifying this fire as incendiary. That means it was intentionally set," Milanowski said. "This is a criminal investigation now."

Five people died in that fire including Pasadena resident David Ortiz, 21, who was an engineering student at Texas State University.

The other students killed in the fire were:

• James Miranda
• Belinda Moats
• Dru Estes
• Haley Michele Frizzel

ATF officials also announced that a $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest.

"We are confident that there are people in the public who've heard something before this incident happened, or since it happened that can help us in our investigation," Milanowski said. "We need the public's help in order to solve this case."

Fire officials, who met with the families of the dead before the press conference, have not said how the fire was set.

Hays County Fire Marshal Kelly Kisner said the smoke alarms inside many of the apartments did go off to warn residents, but it was not known if all of them were working when the fire started.

Although officials declined to say how the fire was set, they did say that the manufacturing of controlled substances would fall into the arson category.

"It is a charge, as part of the elements, to be considered," said ATF Special Agent Mike Liddell.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the ATF: 888-ATF-TIPS or 888-283-8477.

READ ALSO:

• Pasadena Man Reported Missing After Texas State Apartment Fire
• Pasadena Man Identified Among Dead In San Marcos Fire

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