Temple Railroad Museum Fire Started by Children
Investigators with the Temple Fire Marshal's Office have identified three suspects under the age of 10 who they say are responsible for a fire that damaged an antique train car on January 18.
Two visitors to the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum provided investigators with photos they took the day that a fire broke out in the museum's outdoor caboose display. Three children were photographed around the car before the fire, and one was seen exiting the train car after the fire had started. Detectives with the Temple Police Department's Juvenile Division met with one of the children at a local elementary school, where the child admitted involvement and identified the two other suspects. Interviews with the children revealed that a cigarette lighter was used to start the fire.
State law prohibits charges from being filed against the suspect due to their young age, but investigators met with their families and have referred them to the police department’s Youth Firesetter Intervention Program.