By Jamie Burch, ABC News
UPDATE:
Multiple law enforcement agencies — including the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Texas Rangers — are investigating a suspicious fire in Perryton after a 4-year-old girl was found dead.
Just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the Perryton Police Department and Perryton Fire Department responded to a house fire at 802 S. Drake.
When they arrived, witnesses said they believed that a young girl was inside the home.
Firefighters and police rushed inside and found a 4-year-old girl dead on a bed.
A second person was found in the home possibly suffering from smoke inhalation. They were transported to Ochiltree General Hospital and transferred to a hospital in Lubbock.
Perryton police said “the fire seemed to have started on the bed.”
The girl’s body was sent to Lubbock for autopsy.
A suspect in the case — 39-year-old Humberto Martinez — was arrested Thursday by DPS in Lubbock.
Martinez was charged with second degree felony arson.
“This is a complex criminal investigation that involves several investigative agencies, analysis of evidence by several labs, and interview of witness,” said Police Chief Mike Smith. “Each of these investigative steps take time and coordination between involved agencies. Because of these factors, we will not be answering any questions concerning the ongoing investigation at this time.”
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By KFDA
Perryton Fire Department said a four-year-old child was found dead after a house fire yesterday in Perryton.
PFD Chief Paul Dutcher said about 9:53 a.m., firefighters were called out to a fire at a home at 802 S. Drake, according to the High Plains Observer.
The fire was in the southwest bedroom and was mostly contained in the room.
As firefighters were putting out the fire, they noticed a four-year-old girl in the bed who had passed away.
Dutcher as they were investigating the fire, the homeowner told them that there should have been a man in the home.
Firefighters found a 39-year-old man in a crawl space under the house.
While he did not appear to have any injuries, he was taken to Ochiltree General Hospital and transferred to Lubbock to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The child was not related to the homeowner or the 39-year-old man.
Dutcher said the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
According to the High Plains Observer, Perryton Police Department and Texas Rangers are investigating the death of the child.
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