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Suspect in the Forget Me Not Veteran's Park fire arrested
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A resident of the Forget Me Not Veterans Park is suspected of setting fire to a building on the property that served as a community multipurpose room—and then barricaded himself inside his tiny home, said Sheriff Lee Armijo.
“He was threatening that he had gasoline, and if we tried to go in, he was going to burn himself down and that tiny home down,” Armijo said. “I talked to him, and first he was afraid to come out but after talking to him for another 15 or so minutes, I convinced him to come out and when he came out we took him into custody.”
Armijo said the suspect told him he was experiencing a severe mental health episode.
Thomas Pounds Jr., 54, was booked at the Socorro County Detention Center with charges of arson.
Interim San Antonio Fire Chief Mario Amaro said Midway and San Antonio fire departments responded to the structure fire around 4 a.m. at the Forget Me Not Veterans Park west of San Marcial on Feb.12.
According to Amaro, firefighters contained the blaze by 6 a.m. However, the multipurpose building was completely destroyed by the fire, which also caused significant damage to the adjacent chapel. No injuries were reported.
Daun Medaris, founder of the Forget Me Not Veterans Park said the multipurpose building housed a shower, washer, dryer and other amenities, he estimated the fire damage was over $200k.
Despite the damage he said he was still proud of the park, especially the way the residents pulled together to fight the fire.
“My wife is a retired fire chief. She got out there and started hustling the guys and 11 veterans got together, they were pulling hoses and working,” Medaris said, “I mean, it could have been a lot worse. Not one house was hurt and not one person.”
He said he will not be discouraged by the incident.
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“When we take people in that have PTSD, you know what, it’s not always going to be perfect,” Medaris said, “Things happen for a reason, and seeing those guys pull together did my heart good.”
Amaro said the fire is still under investigation.
