MFD Needs Help to Solve Two Arson Cases

The Midland Fire Department is reaching out to the community for help. Fire investigators are at dead ends with 2 separate arson cases. The Midland Fire Department is convinced that there are people out there who know the truth behind these arsons and that's why they need those people to come forward; not only for a cash reward, but also for the security that these arsonists will never strike again. 

On March 24, 2009, Brooks Bar-B-Q in Midland was in flames. The restaurant was completely torched from the fire.

"You wonder the reason, the reason you'll never find out," says Owner of Brooks Bar-B-Q, Juluis Brooks.

Now, the restaurant is fully restored and booming as usual, serving their famous “Fat Burger” to hungry eaters.

"It gave me the determination to say, 'hey if someone wants to put me out of business, I’m going to make sure they don't succeed' and that's what we've done.  We've picked it up and we have an even better building then we did before," says Brooks.

The second arson case happened at a house on Sunnyside Drive.

"The motive that someone set this on fire, we don't know yet.  But what troubles me more than anything is that somebody set fire to this house with somebody inside of it.  People were asleep when this fire started," says David Hickman with the Midland Fire Department.

Motivation behind arson is tricky, which means theses cases can be impossible to solve.

"In my opinion as a fire expert, most of them do not get solved because arson is a very tough crime to prove," says Hickman.

But, when people come forward with tips, it makes solving an arson case a lot easier.

"If somebody knows anything about these fires please come in and talk to us and do the right thing because this person man do this again to someone else and we want to keep that from happening," explains Hickman.

Again if you know anything about these two arson cases, you're urged to come forward. Remember, you will remain anonymous. And, if your tip leads to the arrest or conviction of anyone involved in these fires, you can receive up to two $1,000 rewards.

Information may be forwarded to Midland Crime stoppers at 694-TIPS, A Texas Advisory Council on Arson (ATAC) at 1-877-434-7345, coming by the Midland Fire Marshal’s Office located at 1500 W. Wall St in Midland, Texas or calling 685-7333 during the hours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday.