By LeaAnne Klentzman
A Crime Stoppers reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting the fire that burned grass and pasture land near Needville on September 8, 2011.
Crime Stoppers is offering their standard $5,000 reward and now a property owner has stepped forward to add an additional $5,000 to the pot for the arrest and prosecution of the persons responsible for the Needville fires.
According to authorities, The Fire Marshal’s Office was able to determined that the fire was set at the corner of a pasture on Foster School Road near Brinkmeyer out in the country between Rosenberg and Needville. The Needville Fire Department was the lead agency battling the blaze that has become known as the Baker Road Fire. Although Needville was the lead, more than 20 other fire departments and more than 100 firefighters from Fort Bend, Wharton and Brazoria counties responded to the blaze.
According to authorities, the fire traveled southwest from its origin, jumping Baker Road. Reports from the Fire Marshal’s Office estimates the fire covered about 400 acres. It also destroyed one barn and another facility that contained two vehicles and a travel trailer.
As reported several weeks ago, Lane Aviation of Rosenberg was pivotal in the fire fight as they assisted ground efforts by spraying water on the fire from their crop-dusters in the air. The Fort Bend County Road and Bridge Department was also instrumental as they brought in bulldozers and other equipment to knock down the flames. During the blaze, one firefighter was injured and taken to OakBend Medical Center.
Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers offers up to $10,000 for any information leading to the arrest and filing of charges on the suspects responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-4665 or Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 281-342-TIPS (8477).