Garden Ridge fire deemed arson, ATF says

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- A blaze that completely gutted the Garden Ridge off 242, causing the roof and sections of walls to collapse last week, has been ruled an arson by federal investigators.

Dewey Webb, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, along with Joe Craig, fire marshal with the city of Conroe, said this week the fire was “intentionally set” but would not release any other details, including how the fire was started or details about suspects.

Details about any suspects will not be released until someone is in custody, said Franceska Perot with the ATF's Houston field division on Thursday.

The 110,000 square foot store was called a “total loss” on Oct. 12 by Mike Legoudes, fire marshal with the city of Conroe. The damages are now estimated to be about $15 million.

“Local ATF special agents will continue to work in partnership on the investigation with fire marshal’s offices in Conroe and Montgomery County until the individuals responsible are brought to justice,” Webb said.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson.