Editor’s note: Because of The Star’s early press deadline due to the July 4 holiday on Monday, this story was written on Friday, July 1.
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a person who attempted to set the Kendall County Courthouse on fire.
Lt. Kevin Klaerner, of the support services division of the KCSO, said deputies, the Boerne Fire Department and Boerne Police Department responded to a 911 call at about 12:10 a.m. Thursday morning to reports of visible flames at the back door of the courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Ave.
The call sheets from Thursday morning show a witness called 911 at 12:29 a.m. to report the back porch of the courthouse was on fire. While the witness wasn’t sure how the fire started, he or she reported the door mat and bushes at the back entrance were on fire.
The witness was parked off the one-way section of East San Antonio Avenue behind Black Rifle when the fire was spotted, information stated. There is no reported witness account of the individual believed to have started the fire.
Klaerner said the fire was put out using a fire extinguisher, and he said there was minimal damage to the courthouse. He noted two accelerants were used to ignite the flames, leading investigators to believe it was arson.
The call sheets from that morning seem to show the fire was under control by about 12:45 a.m., and all first responders were off the call by 1:47 a.m. that morning.
The fire was started just outside the employee-only entrance at the back of the courthouse just outside the offices of Precinct 1 County Commissioner Christina Bergmann and County Judge Darrel Lux.
“At approximately 12:30 a.m., there was a small fire at the Kendall County courthouse,” read a statement from BPD. “BFD responded and extinguished the flames. The KCSO CID is handling the investigation. …”
While investigators are still trying to identify the subject, having little access in the way of security cameras as there is no camera facing outside that entry to the courthouse, the sheriff’s office asks that anyone with any information contact Sgt. Jon Quade. The KCSO phone number is 830-249-9721. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may contact Kendall County Crime Stoppers at 800-348-5323.
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