Arsonist May Have Worn Firefighter's Jacket

Johnson County Investigators search for man who set early morning fires

An arsonist who set several fires near Godley early Monday morning was wearing a firefighter's bunker jacket, a witness told police.

The fires broke out in a field on County Road 915 near Godley at about 1:15 a.m., according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.

Jeremy Holtman lives just up the street.

"It was pretty big," Holtman said of the blaze.

Holtman, 19, said he saw the possible arsonist soon after the fires broke out.

"He pulled in my driveway," Holtman said. "He backed out, and he took off as fast as he could down the road."

Holtman described the vehicle as a white, newer-model F-150 pickup with an extended cab.

Another witness described the same vehicle with two men inside. One of them was wearing what appeared to be a fireman's jacket, the sheriff's department said.

"That's crazy. I don't know what to think about that," Holtman said. "That's just not right."

Godley Fire Chief Gerry Mercer and other volunteers arrived within minutes.

"If you don't get these things out, they can flare back up with the wind and the humidity as low as it has been," Mercer said.

Mercer said it's possible the man is a firefighter or former firefighter but added he hopes it's not true.

"I hope it's not one of our immediate firemen or someone in the area," he said. "We'll handle it in-house and let the law enforcement handle it."

Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford said investigators have some solid leads but so far have not made any arrests.

He declined to speculate whether the arsonist was a firefighter.

Contact Us