OCTOBER 1, 2006
SPLENDORA FIRE TRAINING
OCTOBER 1, 2006
SPRING LODGE FIRE -I45
A seven-alarm fire at a motel on Sunday left several families homeless, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Nearly 100 firefighters from about 20 agencies battled the blaze that broke out at the Spring Lodge on the North Freeway near Louetta at about 1:20 a.m.
Fire officials said the fire started on one side of the building and spread throughout. Many of the rooms were completely destroyed.
Officials said the motel was at full capacity.
The American Red Cross assisted 11 families with temporary housing, food and clothing.
One woman who lived at the motel for about three months said she lost everything.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Monica Palacious said. “At least we’re all OK.”
Several residents and some firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. None of the injuries was serious, officials said.
Investigators said it would take several days to determine the exact cause of the fire, but it does not appear to be suspicious.
OCTOBER 1, 2006
DOUBLE FATAL CRASH -SH 242 AT MYSTIC HILL
OCTOBER 1, 2007
SH105 EAST 18 WHEELER FATAL
OCTOBER 1, 2007
TRI LAKE DROWNING
James Kevin Sayre, who would have turned 43 on Oct. 25, was attending a birthday party at his father’s house on South Lakeview when he went fishing on Ten Acre Lake, according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dan Norris.
“He and two other men went out on the lake in a rowboat,” Norris said. “The boat started taking on water and two swam to shore, but one didn’t make it.”
Sayre was not wearing any flotation devices, Norris said.
Family members made a frantic 9-1-1 call at 11:30 p.m., which MCSO and game warden personnel responded to and began a search, Norris said. Precinct 1 Dive Master Vernon Miller also responded to assist in the search.
OCTOBER 1, 2010
MOTORCYCLE CRASH FM 1485 AT FM 2090
Just after 6:15 pm, Caney Creek Fire Department was dispatched just down the street from their station to a motorcycle accident on FM 2090 just east of FM 1485. On their arrival they found a female in serious condition and the male motorcycle driver walking around with some road rash.
MCHD arrived shortly after and requested Life Flight for 24-year-old Tiffany Hooper who was in serious condition. Her father Bill Hooper age 42 refused medical treatment on the scene. River Plantation Fire Department responded to assist Caney Creek with a helicopter landing zone.
According to DPS Trooper, Jimmy Sutton Hooper was eastbound on FM 2090 after just pulling away from the traffic light at FM 1485. As he attempted to pass a truck the truck turned his turn signals on requiring the motorcycle to take evasive action. This resulted in Hooper laying the bike down and letting it slide over 540 feet to it’s resting spot in the ditch. No other vehicles were involved.
Ed Hooper received citations for Failure to have a Class M motorcycle license and traveling at an unsafe speed.
FM 2090 was closed for close to an hour as Troopers investigated the accident.
OCTOBER 1, 2010
VICKSBURG DOPE RAID
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies became suspicious after stopping several vehicles coming from the Vicksburg Subdivision off Budde Road and all having drugs in the vehicle. On a particular house at the corner of Cannonball and Pine Acres is where the traffic was originating. This subdivision backs up to The Woodlands.
Members of the Sheriff’s Department SIU Division were able to obtain a search warrant on the home and executed that search warrant Friday just afternoon.
Inside the found a room used to grow hydroponic marijuana which had recently been harvested. They did recover approximately twelve pounds of the hydroponic marijuana packaged with a street value of over $60,000. In addition, they recovered ecstasy and Zanax from the home.
Patrick Francis Zygala, age 30 who resides at the home was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Marijuana greater than five pounds but less than fifty pounds. Possession of a Controlled Substance less than one gram and Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than twenty-eight grams but less than two hundred grams.
In addition, several assault weapons were recovered including laser sights. Zygala even had one under his pillow telling deputies he was in fear of his life and it was for protection. A money counter was recovered and two safes.
South Montgomery County Fire Department was called on to use their rescue tools to open the safe for investigators.
Bianca, the Sheriff’s Office Canine Officer (dog) appeared very content with her find as she stood over it.
A street motorcycle and Dodge pickup were seized in the operation.
OCTOBER 1, 2012
HEMPSTEAD TEACHER KILLED IN SH 105 WEST CRASH
Just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday Ramon Espinal, 55, of Conroe was westbound on SH 105 just west of Montgomery High School when a Dodge truck which had possibly hydroplaned in the intense rain crossed the center line. A 2010 Mini-Cooper was eastbound and struck the pickup head-on. The crash caused the Mini-Cooper to come to rest in the ditch. The Dodge 1500 remained across the moving lanes of traffic.
With heavy rain coming down at the time, a Honda Odyssey van which was also eastbound on SH105 was unable to see the truck and t-boned the passenger side of the pickup. The van driven by Joshua Masters, 26, of Montgomery was uninjured. His wife and three children all ages2 and under were uninjured.
Carlos Aguna, a passenger in the pickup was uninjured, however, Espinal was transported to Conroe Regional Hospital in stable condition.
Montgomery Fire Department had to remove the doors of the Mini-Cooper to free the trapped driver identified as Herman Lacey. He was transported to Conroe Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Even with the extensive front end damage to the front of the Cooper, the airbags did not deploy. The impact was great enough to buckle the roof of the vehicle.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes Unit did respond to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Herman “Randall” Lacey, 59 is a Career and Technology Education Teacher at Hempstead Independent School District.
Hempstead ISD is providing counselors for students affected by this tragedy.
Funeral arrangements for Lacey are scheduled for Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:00 pm at the Hempstead High School Auditorium.
Hempstead ISD is also setting up the Randell Lacey CTE Memorial Scholarship.
If you’d like to contribute..funds can be sent directly to Hempstead ISD.
It is still unknown why the airbags did not deploy in this crash. However, according to many sources, there have been multiple incidents of this after running a Google search.
CONROE GETS DREDGE
Over the past few years, Lake Conroe has continued to drop. Last weekend’s rains had very little effect as it remains at least three feet below normal. In addition, the construction of the freshwater pipeline from Lake Conroe to The Woodlands continues to move forward.
Many residents who have boats have had to relocate them due to no water or shallow water at their docks.
One neighborhood decided o act on it and do something about it. Residents of the Palm Beach subdivision off Walden got together and hired long time lake contractor Vernon Miller, President of Shoreline Companies.
In 1984 Vernon quit the dwindling oilfields and started the company. His first projects were mostly building bulkheads along Lake Conroe. Customers soon had him building docks and piers. Then n 1990 he began to build marinas on Lake Conroe. This including diving as part of the construction process.
In 1993 Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable Don Chumley asked Miller to start a dive team for rescues and searching for drowning victims, After training with the Houston Police Department the team was formed.
In July 2006 a store was opened along with Millers niece Cristin Cash. This part of the business supplied marine hardware to lake residents and safety equipment to first responders.
In 2010 the lake began to drop as the area went into a drought. Miller who had several barges started doing some dredging work around the lake.
The Palm Beach residents contracted Miller to remove 10,000 yards of soil from under the lake surface in order to give them access to their docks. The project could have taken 3 to 6 months having to rent equipment and move it in.
It was then that Miller’s niece Cristin was on Craigslist and found a Marsh Dredger for sale in East Texas.
After talking with the owner who had the unit in Cuero, Texas on a job it was agreed that as soon as the job was completed it would be transported to Lake Conroe. Half of Tuesday morning was tied up with TXDOT in getting permits and routing for the 70,000-pound dredge that is 17 feet wide.
Another issue was where the dredge which also floats and can maneuver in the water could be launched. The owners of La Torretta had an undeveloped area behind the complex which could be used.
Arriving a 4 pm on the flatbed truck the operator was able to unload it and drive it to the water’s edge. After a few seconds, he drove off into Lake Conroe. Gary with Tow Boats who normally tows smaller vessels on Lake Conroe was then tasked with assisting the dredge on its 30-minute journey to Palm Beach.
Wednesday the dredging will stare and is expected to take 45 to 60 days. The dirt must first be loaded onto the barges, then moved to shore and unloaded. There it will remain for several days as the water flows off of it. After that, it will be transported to several locations using dump trucks. In all almost 1000 truckloads will be moved.
Not only does this project help the local residents but it increases the Lake Conroe capacity.
OCTOBER 1, 2014
COMMISSIONER NOACK WARNS OF I-45 CLOSING THIS WEEKEND
Northbound lanes of Interstate 45 at 11 pm Friday night and for the next fifty-four hours it will remain closed. It will reopen at 5 am on Monday. During this time ALL traffic will be taken off the freeway at the College Park exit and will be forced to travel the feeder, through the SH 242 intersection and beyond FM 1488 before re-entering the freeway. With SH 242 cross traffic and the signals, traffic is expected to be at almost a standstill.
On the southbound side ALL main lanes will be closed from 9 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday. All southbound traffic will exit SH 242 and travel through the SH 242 intersection and re-enter the freeway just before Research Forest.
This is due to large cranes being placed on the freeway to lift the steel beams into position for the new SH 242 Flyover.
Many people may try to travel FM 1488 to I-45 to go northbound, However, remember you will be merging with heavy traffic on the northbound feeder. With a merge lane in place, many do not realize that it is a merge lane and stop to wait on traffic before entering the flow.
Commissioner Noack suggests using several alternates such as US 59, FM 2978, or Fish Creek, Gosling, or Kuykendahl.
In addition, the Texas Renaissance Festival starts this weekend on FM 1774 north of Magnolia. FM 1774 is also under construction and traffic has been gridlocked daily, This year officials urged motorists to travel I-45 to SH 105 to FM 1774 or SH 6 to SH 105 and east to FM 1774. With the construction on I-45 expect extensive delays.
Police will be in place to assist traffic flow
OCTOBER 1, 2014
MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS A NEW TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR
At 10 am Wednesday Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler swore in Tammy J. McRae as Montgomery County’s newest Tax Assessor/Collector. Tammy will take over for J.R. Moore who is retiring after 28-years as Tax Assessor-Collector for Montgomery County. Tammy told the group present for the swearing-in that she knew she had some big shoes to fill but that she was going to do her best to do the job that J.R. did.
J.R. Moore said he is looking forward to his retirement and for the first time in 28-years to be able to watch New Years Eve fireworks, something he has been unable to do as they kept the office opens late New Years Eve to accommodate people who want to pay taxes and get ready for their income tax. That was the second busiest day of the year. He also plans to take a vacation and enjoy retirement. After 28-years of an early rise and being a farm boy, J.R. said his internal clock still has him on an early rise.
The Tax Assessor-Collector, elected by registered voters of Montgomery County for a four-year term, holds the Constitutional Office charged with duties and responsibilities mandated by State Statutes to assess and collect ad valorem tax accounts as identified and valued by the Montgomery Central Appraisal District. The office also collects property taxes for 69 of 77 other taxing jurisdictions (school districts, cities, and special districts).
The Montgomery County Tax Office also collects beer, wine, and liquor licensing fees, and occupational taxes relating to vending machine permits. Acting as an Agent for the State, all vehicle and trailer registration and titles are processed in this office for residents of the county.
In addition, on behalf of the County and other governing bodies, the Tax Assessor-Collector processes the resale of all “Tax Trust” property and processes all Tax Abatement Agreements and bi-annual reports to ensure that each party to the Agreement is in compliance with their Agreement and County policy.
The main Tax Office in Conroe, along with the four branch offices in Magnolia, Montgomery, New Caney, and The Woodlands, is open Monday through Friday (except holidays ) from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. There are also 24 motor vehicle substations located in grocery stores (see “Vehicle Registration, Substation Locations” for specifics) throughout Montgomery County; substations are normally open 7 days a week during the regular business hours of the merchants’ courtesy booths.
OCTOBER 1, 2015
MOTORCYCLE CHASE TO SPRING
Just before 11 pm a Montgomery County deputy attempted to stop a motorcycle on Dobbin Huffsmith near Hardin Store Road. The driver of the cycle, identified as Jeremy Campos (9/12/81). He is a wanted felon. The motorcycle sped up and ran at a high rate of speed south on Dobbin Huffsmith to FM 2978. He then ran south to FM 2920 and then east under I-45 to Old Town Spring. As he approached the tracks in front of Wunsche Café he lost control and crashed the bike. The driver fled on food. Harris County K-9nunits responded to assist in the search in both the neighborhoods and on the north end of the railroad yard. He was not found.
A pursuit earlier in the day of the same driver failed as he was able to elude police. Officials say he is known to carry a weapon.
Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Campos is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
UPDATE***************************************************************
On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, assisted by the United States Marshall Service and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, conducted a warrant service in a Walmart parking lot, in the 18700 block of SH 105 West, in Montgomery.
The fugitive being sought was Jeremy Martel Campos, who had been identified as a suspect that had been witnessed driving a stolen motorcycle. Over the past two weeks, in the northern portions of Harris County and southern parts of Montgomery County, law enforcement agencies have attempted to stop Mr. Campos on the stolen motorcycle. When law enforcement units attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Mr. Campos, he would flee from law enforcement units at a high rate of speed. This would cause high speed pursuits to ensue for a short period of time. A combined effort by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force, Tomball Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, United States Marshall Service, and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force was initiated to locate and arrest Mr. Campos.
The arrest warrant was served, at the listed location, at approximately 6:40 AM. Mr. Campos was located sleeping in a stolen Ford F-350, along with his wife, Katherine Michelle LaPlant, and their juvenile son. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Deputies were able to arrest Mr. Campos and detain the others inside the vehicle without incident. A search of the vehicle found that both subjects, Mr. Campos and Ms. LaPlant, were armed with handguns. Both Mr. Campos and Ms. LaPlant were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Jail Facility. Child Protective Services were contacted and took custody of the juvenile child.
Upon subsequent investigations, Detectives went to several locations, in Montgomery and Harris Counties, and were able to locate numerous stolen motorcycles, trailers, four wheelers and other suspected stolen property.
A preliminary estimate of the stolen property recovered is $143,200. The investigation is ongoing and further charges could be filed as the investigation progresses.
OCTOBER 1, 2018
US 59 18 WHEELER CRASH
About 1:30 pm an 18-wheeler owned by JBS carriers and pulling an empty trailer was parked on the side of US 59 between Northpark and FM 1314. Moments later an empty flatbed 18-wheeler owned by CPS Houston was traveling north in the right lane when the driver crossed the right fog line and slammed into the truck parked on the side of the road. The female driver of the parked truck was transported to Kingwood Hospital in stable condition. The truck driver who struck her was also treated at Kingwood for minor injuries. Most of US 59 was closed as crews worked to remove the debris and load the trucks that were damaged. HAZMAT International was tasked with cleaning the spilled diesel fuel from the fuel tank of the 18-wheeler which was ripped loose. In addition motor oil from the engine of the flatbed truck. DPS is continuing the investigation.
OCTOBER 1, 2018
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT 5 DEPUTIES SWORN IN
At 11:59 p.m. Sunday night longtime Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constable David Hill retired after 50-years of service. At midnight Chris Jones a long-time deputy with Precinct 5 and Chief Deputy since the untimely death of Chief Deputy David Wood, was sworn in as Constable. At 6am Monday morning, all of the Precinct 5 Deputies gathered to be sworn in by the new Constable, Chris Jones.
OCTOBER 1, 2019
CONROE MANS BEEHIVES WIPED OUT BY FLOODS
You might all have heard this famous quote, which is mostly attributed to famous scientist Albert Einstein probably, but there is no correct attribution and evidence that Einstein ever said that, said Michael Pocock, an ecologist with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Despite whoever quoted this, it is quite worthy and an eye-opener for all of us. If bees get extinct, do we just realize that it will not be all about just lack of honey, but there is a very important and lethal fact about the declining bee population which is rapidly decreasing than expected? These tiny creatures are very important to maintain an ecological balance. It is quite an alarming situation and of great concern that if bees go extinct, we will suffer from a pollinator apocalypse followed by extreme food scarcity and human extinction nearly after it. Even if we find other means of novel technologies to fulfill the food scarcity it won’t be enough to fill the needs of such a blooming population worldwide. Though bees are not the only pollinators that play this role of pollination, these tiny creatures contribute a lot in the pollination of around most of the crop species that feed 90% of the world (sources). They are responsible for most of the food production by pollination of our important crop plants by acting as a mediator of pollen transfer between the different flowers. We already know that the population of bees has started to decline considerably and it’s leading to “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD) the name given to mass dying of bee populations by experts. Then two weeks ago Tropical Storm Imelda paid it’s a visit to Conroe and in the processes wiped out Conroe residents Pat Sturgeon’s hundreds of beehives. Sturgeons who reside near the intersection of FM 1485 and SH 105 East woke up the morning the rains pounded Conroe. At 5 am he looked out and there was some water outside. An hour later he was standing in water in his mobile home. From there on the water kept rising to the point it was over SH 105. Never in his life has it come up this high, He said even during Harvey it came up to the road but went down quickly. This time was different and by the time it was over hundreds of his beehives, boxes, and frames had washed away. He has spent the past tow weeks retrieving his hives from the woods and the creek beds in and around his home. Currently, he is attempting to find a way to move over fifty of them back across 105 to his property. He doesn’ know what it will take to set them up again and get them active. Currently, not one bee is to be seen around the hives.
OCTOBER 1, 2019
CUT AND SHOOT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Over 100 people attended this year’s National Night Out in Cut and Shoot. With plenty of food, and activities for the kids.
OCTOBER 1, 2021
FATAL CRASH SH 105 EAST
At 3 pm Montgomery County dispatchers received a call of a head-on crash on SH 105 East near South Duck Creek. NMC Fire units arrived to find a 207 Pontiac ripped open and crushed by an 18-wheeler dump truck loaded with sand. The female driver identified as Chelsea Kelly, 27, who lived not far away was eastbound on SH 105 toward Cleveland. An 18-wheeler was broken down on the right side of the road with a wrecker about to tow it. The driver had his reflectors out. According to a witness, the female slowed and turned to avoid the reflectors. With the roads being wet she lost control and went into a slide. The 18-wheeler which was westbound struck her vehicle. DPS investigated the crash. Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Jason Dunn ordered Eickenhorst Funeral Directors to transport the victim to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for autopsy
OCTOBER 1, 2021
PRECINCT 2 CONSTABLE RESCUES THREE SMALL CHILDREN LOST IN WOODS
On September 30, 2021, at about 8:30 pm Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a call for three missing children. A girl and two boys ages six and seven in the Flamingo Lakes Subdivision which borders the massive Sam Houston National Forest. Units were immediately sent and by 10 pm the search was well underway using a DPS helicopter, drones, ATV’s and volunteers with Montgomery County Search and Rescue. As luck would have it that group was in a meeting of all their members when the call came in and all immediately deployed. Night set in, it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of you. At one point a volunteer suffered minor injuries when he rolled his ATV in a deep ravine. The search continued until 3 am. With everyone exhausted the decision was to break for the night and start again at first dawn. At dawn, the search had begun again. A man who knew the Forest well went out on his own searching for the children. About 9:30 am he heard them and was able to locate them close several miles from where they had entered the woods. With cell phone signal almost nonexistent he was finally able to call 911 and tell operators he had the children, they were wet and hungry. Dispatchers were able to triangulate his cell phone position and send help. Sgt. Jason Smith with the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constables Office was close to the location and entered the thick woods. after some time he was able to get to the children and the man who found them. Now it was his turn to lead the way out. His compass on his cell phone quit working several times due to a lack of signal. Other rescuers on the road blew horns and activated sirens. After close to 30-minutes they were able to make their way out to where the children’s parents were waiting. The first thing the children asked for was a cheeseburger. They told Sgt. Smith that their parents had told them if they ever became lost to stay in one spot until help arrived. During the night of the heavy rains, they found a dry creek bed with a large fallen tree and took shelter under it.
OCTOBER 1, 2021
MONTGOMERY CNTY PCT 2 SGT. TALKS ABOUT CITIZEN DISCOVERING MISSING CHILDREN IN THE FOREST
On September 30, 2021, at about 8:30 pm Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a call for three missing children. A girl and two boys ages six and seven in the Flamingo Lakes Subdivision which borders the massive Sam Houston National Forest. Units were immediately sent and by 10 pm the search was well underway using a DPS helicopter, drones, ATV’s and volunteers with Montgomery County Search and Rescue. As luck would have it that group was in a meeting of all their members when the call came in and all immediately deployed. Night set in, it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of you. At one point a volunteer suffered minor injuries when he rolled his ATV in a deep ravine. The search continued until 3 am. With everyone exhausted the decision was to break for the night and start again at first dawn. At dawn, the search had begun again. A man who knew the Forest well went out on his own searching for the children. About 9:30 am he heard them and was able to locate them close several miles from where they had entered the woods. With cell phone signal almost nonexistent he was finally able to call 911 and tell operators he had the children, they were wet and hungry. Dispatchers were able to triangulate his cell phone position and send help. Sgt. Jason Smith with the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constables Office was close to the location and entered the thick woods. after some time he was able to get to the children and the man who found them. Now it was his turn to lead the way out. His compass on his cell phone quit working several times due to a lack of signal. Other rescuers on the road blew horns and activated sirens. After close to 30-minutes they were able to make their way out to where the children’s parents were waiting. The first thing the children asked for was a cheeseburger. They told Sgt. Smith that their parents had told them if they ever became lost to stay in one spot until help arrived. During the night of the heavy rains, they found a dry creek bed with a large fallen tree and took shelter under it.
OCTOBER 1, 2022
PURSUIT SPLENDORA TO HOUSTON
Montgomery County Precinct 4 attempted to stop a Jeep at SH 242 and I-69 northbound. The driver fled. A Splendora unit spotted it at East River and attempted to stop it. The Jeep wrecked but was able to get going again and fled south on I-69. Splendora Pollice and Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables stayed with the vehicle. A DPS helicopter also assisted. One of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Patrol units was able to get a successful spike on the Jeep. As they got into Harris County two Harris County units were given permission by their supervisor to shadow the pursuit. As they crossed Tidwell the driver who was the lone occupant threw out two baggies. As they got into downtown Houston the driver exited. As they got to Roberts Street he stopped and tried to flee. Splendora K-9 Kilo stopped him in his tracks, even though a slight piece of his arm was damaged from the bite. He will be transported to Ben Taub for evaluation and then to the Montgomery County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, oxycodone, and for evading arrest.
OCTOBER 1, 2022
LAKE CONROE BOAT CRASH
At about 5:15 pm Saturday two pontoon boats crashed on Lake Conroe. Multiple victims were thrown into the water. Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable, Montgomery Fire, Conroe Fire, North Montgomery County Fire, and Texas Game Wardens responded. Units arrived on the scene with CPR in progress on one victim who was transported to HCA Conroe Hospital in critical condition. At least two others were transported to the hospital. Texas Parks and Wildlife is now investigating the crash.
OCTOBER 1, 2023
MAGNOLIA 3 ALARM MASION ARSON FIRE
Just after 2:30 a.m. Magnolia firefighters were dispatched to the 28000 block of Nichols Sawmill for a house fire. They arrived at a 6800 square foot house fully involved. Initially, firefighters had a difficult time accessing the property. First, they had to remove a chain and lock blocking the drive Trees were grown over the driveway causing next to zero clearance for the trucks. A ladder truck was unable to be used due to its height and the way the home was situated. Magnolia’s Chief asked residents to keep the driveway clear of low-hanging trees. . Then they had to negotiate engines along the close to 200 for the driveway Firefighters tried to make entry but were forced out as the roof was collapsing. Additional tankers were called in and additional engines for manpower. After 2 hours firefighters were still battling heavy flames. Units on scene and backed in, Magnolia, Rose Hill, Tomball, Spring, Klien, Conroe, Lake Conroe, Needham, Woodlands, Montgomery. As of 8 a.m. Sunday Nichols Sawmill remains closed as tankers continue to shuttle water from nearby hydrants to the fire. Firefighters continue to pour water on the flames. This has taxed many water systems in the area. The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. Crews will most likely be on the scene the rest of the day attempting to get to hot spots.
A California woman has been arrested in connection with the multi-alarm fire that destroyed a massive home in Magnolia in the early hours of Sunday.
Sarah Ariel Archie, 30, of Long Beach, California, is charged with Arson with Intent to Damage Habitat / Place of Worship. She was booked into the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe. No bond is set as of this posting. The case will be tried in the 9th District Court of Judge Phil Grant.
According to Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams, more than 50 firefighters and 20 firetrucks from eight fire departments responded to the fire in the 28000 block of Nichols Sawmill and spent several hours extinguishing the flames and dealing with the dangers presented by such a large and unknown home, with multi-levels, structural collapse, swimming pools in the dark yard, etc.
The Fire Marshal said Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded and identified Archie as a “person of interest”. Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and worked with MCSO to investigate the case. The Fire Marshal’s Office then arrested Archie.
The Fire Marshal said the investigation is continuing and additional details will be provided when appropriate.
No information was provided as to motive or why the California woman was in Magnolia.
