Texas man arrested after 4-year-old girl found dead after house fire
07/22/2022 2:58 pm PDT
PERRYTON, Texas (TCD) -- A 39-year-old man was taken into custody after officials discovered a young girl deceased following a house fire.
Lubbock County Jail records show Humberto Martinez was booked on suspicion of arson on July 22. He's being held without bail as he awaits transfer to another detention center.
According to the High Plains Observer, on Wednesday, July 20, at 9:53 a.m., the Perryton Police and Fire Departments responded to a blaze at 802 S. Drake, and a witness reportedly told officials they believed a juvenile was inside the home. As they made their way into the home, officers and firefighters reportedly found a deceased girl on a bed, which is where they believe the fire started.
Firefighters put out the flames and found a second person inside who was suffering from smoke inhalation. Officials transferred that person to Ochiltree General Hospital, then transferred them to Lubbock.
According to KVII-TV, the girl was 4 years old, and police said the fire "seemed to have started on the bed."
The girl’s body was taken to Lubbock County for an autopsy. The Texas Rangers and Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office are reportedly investigating the case.
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