Posted on 06/08/2008 5:52:34 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Fire destroys Texas governor's mansion
12 minutes ago
Texas state officials say a four-alarm fire has caused "catastrophic" damage to the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin.
Governor's spokesman Robert Black says said no one was inside the 150-year-old home when the fire began shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday. He says the cause is not yet known.
The mansion had been undergoing a $10 million renovation and Gov. Rick Perry and his wife had moved out last fall.
Black says the damage to the mansion "is extraordinary, bordering on catastrophic."
He says more than 100 firefighters are at the scene and the roof of the mansion is very unstable.
So, let’s see, if the federal government doesn’t enforce border laws and doesn’t make English the law of the land, therefore it’s not a problem if a beautiful historic house is burned down. Very logical. I certainly see the connection.
And now you’re dragging McCain into it. He in particular has nothing to do with Texas architecture.
You don’t need to remind me of the meaning of “communist.” My father’s side of the family lived under communism for many years, and I had the distinct displeasure of traveling extensively in communist countries. What I recall clearly is that the communists had no respect for the heritage of the past and allowed their historic buildings to get burned, bulldozed, or simply neglected because they didn’t like the people who lived there. Perhaps you can see why I compared you to such as they. You particular economic views aside, you seem to be on record as displaying remarkable callousness just because you don’t like something about the policies of Texas.
Face it, on this thread you are outnumbered and outgunned. You might want to reexamine your position.
Ummmmm you and Eaker weren’t in Austin last night were ya ?:o)
According to the article, passersby noticed the fire on the front porch and gave the alarm. Fire could have begun elsewhere and spread outward and upward until it was visible from the front of the structure.
That sounds like plumbers in the basement or crawlspace.
Agreed....but some folks actually claim New Jersey as a birthplace.... Some, like NMH, hide this fact....
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I see...thanks for your input.
Just as an aside, this fire may NOT be as bad as it looks, in terms of permanent damage to the structure. The interior is surely gutted, and the roof and roof structure are gone, but it appears that the foundation and walls are relatively intact.
This would not be cost effective to restore on a private home, but a building with this historical value will be worth saving.
As for the point of origin, it's clear that it wasn't the front porch. It appears to be in a central location, on the ground floor or just below the ground floor. You can see from the side view that the fire burned up and out equidistant from a point about midway in the structure. Not knowing the floor layout, I can't say for sure, but since most plumbing chases and HVAC systems are located in the core of the house, it looks like a plumbing or wiring issue. I've known fires to start in a miswired furnace or AC unit. That sort of fire could start at any time as long as power is on to the unit.
Single point of origin and central location argue against arson. Arson fires almost always have multiple points of origin and they tend to be around the perimeter.
I do not see in the 21st century any need for mansions for governors or presidents. Elected officials ought to live in their own houses like the rest of us. We can use those building as offices and ceremonial centers.
The arson investigator follows the "V" back to the point of origin. Fires (if not 'helped' with accelerants) burn in a V shape upward and outward from the p.o.
“The fire started on the front porch according to the article I posted and had spread to the second story by the time the trucks arrived.
Sounds like arson to this untrained person, what does that tell you as an expert?”
Looks just like the fire that was set on the front porch of the old restored Bush family home in Odessa. It was arson in Odessa, 3 or 4 months ago.
Sigh.
Numbers don't matter to me.
Truth and what is right matter more - more than buildings that serve as perks.
I am concerned about this country. I am still shocked that the sheeple are so stupid as to elect someone like the Obomination as their nominee and the GOP and the media elected McPain. In general, I am disgusted. I like to think of Texans as God fearing and demanding however I don't see that happening with our borders down there - regardless of whether is is federal or state. YOU live there. It is in YOUR best interests to stop the ILLEGAL crossings. YOU will have the most impact on stopping THIS.
I give you this, perhaps it is the wrong time and the wrong thread to beat up on Texans when they lost a piece of their history - the Governor's Mansion. So, as a Yankee, accept my apology on not sharing your angst over the burning of this mansion.
I'm past mourning buildings or objects. If a historic building burns down, depending which one it is, I'm sad but I see other issues as more important. Buildings can be replaced - perhaps not like the original but it is just a building. My bigger concern is this country, the U.S. and how it is sliding downward.
All the historic buildings are unimportant to me in comparison to the self destruct that is quickening in pace within the U.S.. It is what is happening to the U.S. at large that is more important to me. Id' rather have all the historical buildings gone and have a conservative country in place of it. These old buildings represent what used to be.
“I am proud of my Texas heritage”
I am proud to have lived here for the last 20 years!
My husband’s family has a long history here. His GGG grandfather was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 and his pic hangs in the State Capitol.
“The fire started on the front porch according to the article I posted and had spread to the second story by the time the trucks arrived.
Sounds like arson to this untrained person, what does that tell you as an expert?”
Looks just like the fire that was set on the front porch of the old restored Bush family home in Odessa. It was arson in Odessa, 3 or 4 months ago.
Strike that, the Austin fire started nearer the center of the house.
Beautiful building, tragic loss. I hope the fire wasn’t started as a pay-back by one of those so-called ‘religious’ groups recently busted in Texas.
We do...but the FEDERALS jail innocent Border Patrol officers for shooting armed drug runners.....
How would a regular citizen (Texian) fair against the power and $$$$ of a Federal prosecution?
That photos just makes me sick and I’m not from TX. I am so sorry for the Texas peoples’ loss today, the part of history that can’t be replaced by a million insurance policies. What a grand old house.
That’s interesting info. I really appreciate your expert input on this thread.
You can see a V shaped burn track from the bottom of front door upwards from the pics.
Your seemingly biased responses to a Texas tradgedy brings to mind a song by Ray Wiley Hubbard: “Screw You, We’re From Texas”
“Now I love the USA/And the other states/
Ahh, they’re OK/Texas is the place I wanna be
And I don’t care if I ever go to Delaware anyway
Cause we got Stubbs and Gruene Hall and Antone’s and John T’s Country Store
We’ve got Willie and Jacky Jack, Robert Earl, Pat, Cory, Charlie and me
And so many more/So screw you, we’re from Texas
Screw you, we’re from Texas
Screw you, we’re from Texas
We’re from Texas, screw you.”
All right... I’ve been reading several of your posts and the replies to you.
First off paying a governor is not subsidizing him. The governors mansion was built long ago as part of our state properties and was set aside for use as part of the Governor’s official payment. That aside the loss is intrensic as so many important events have gone on there.
Secondly, your whole tact of blaming Texans in general for illegal immigration is silly. You interjected into this thread when it had nothing at all to do with the matter at hand. Most Texans (white, brown, black or yellow) are sick up to their ears with illegal immigration.
I think you have just taken off on a couple of bad tangents and are stuck defending yourself over matters that you understand very poorly.
Good luck to you. I would advise just being quiet and leaving it all alone.
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