GRAND SALINE, Texas — Police arrested a man on an arson charge in connection with a large house fire in the Grand Saline last Thursday.
John Larry Baird, 36, has been charged with arson and he remains in the Van Zandt County Jail. He was arrested Friday around 9 p.m. by the Grand Saline Police Department and Grand Saline Fire Marshal's Office.
Witnesses said the incident occurred in the 900 block of Kuykendall Street, and they could hear explosions when the house went up in flames.
Police said they believe Baird acted alone and was not a resident of the home that was set on fire. The explosions that witnesses heard when the fire occurred were believed to be pressurized containers, not the house exploding.
Chief Jeremy Barker, public safety director for the city of Grand Saline, said there were some initial explosions, but investigators believe some propane tanks that probably vented were underneath the carport.
With the house and two vehicles destroyed from the fire, the Red Cross was on the scene to help the homeowners secure temporary lodging. The investigation is ongoing.
