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ARSON - 1A“During investigation a couple of prayer candles and a firework were found,” he said. “The initial investigation showed that the fire may have been accidentallym nset.O’Connell said the focus of the investigation changed after new information was brought forward.“Over the course of the investigation, witnesses came forward and we determined that the three suspects were involved,” he said.At the time of the fire, Ronshausen and Puckett were members of the department.Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department Chief Keith Lohse said the duo was suspended by the department early into the investigation last year and were subsequently removed from department.“We did what we felt wasappropriate,” he said.Investigators are not releasing a possible motive for why the fire was started.“That is information that is very sensitive to this case,” O’Connell said.The fire marshal said he made sure to check and recheck all of the information of the case before making any arrests.“Based on the nature of the event and the fact that members of a volunteer department were involved, we wanted to make sure that all of the information was correct and we were very careful and methodical when looking at the evidence and notes, he said.Guadalupe County Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner and O’Connell both applauded Lohse and the department’s actions against the suspects.“The Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department took quick and decisiveactions on both of these individuals,” Kistner said.“The chief was very cooperative during the investigation and handled the situation the way any professional would have,” O’Connell said.While Ronshausen and Puckett were once members of the department, Lohse said they do not represent the department and Geronimo VFD is about.“The actions of these individuals do not reflect those of the department,” he said. “Everybody is out there to protect the community and what has happen is the complete opposite. There is some disappointment that this could happen and hopefully something like this does not happen again.”Investigations are still ongoing.“There are other ongoing investigations related to one or more of the arrested individuals,” Kistner said.
Newspaper Details
Seguin Gazette
Seguin, Texas, US
Wed, Mar 28, 2012
Page 5
Full Page
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Anonymous
TX, USA 29 Mar 2020
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