FORT WORTH -- A 90-year-old man and his 67-year-old nephew who were pulled from their burning home Saturday night had no signs of trauma, according to a police report obtained by the Star-Telegram on Tuesday.
Paramedics believed that Bobby Hubbard and his nephew Thomas Wheat Jr. died of smoke inhalation at their home in the 4500 block of Moorview Avenue, the report stated. Wheat had used a wheelchair for years after a degenerative spinal disease left him paralyzed.The Tarrant County medical examiner's office had not ruled on their deaths as of Tuesday."The doctor is more than likely waiting for a final report from the Fire Department," said Linda Anderson, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office.Fire investigators have ruled the case arson but have not provided details.A fire on the same block earlier that night was also intentionally set, fire officials said. No one was injured. A woman who had been caring for Hubbard and Wheat lives in that home."Investigators have emphasized that both incidents are open, being actively investigated, and they have not determined whether or not the two incidents are related," Fire Department spokesman Tim Hardeman said.Officials said the first fire occurred at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. A small fire was reported outside under a kitchen window. Damage was estimated at $100.Deralyn Riles Davis, who says she had power of attorney for Hubbard, said a neighbor rushed to her home and alerted her.Davis said she couldn't extinguish it and called the Fire Department.Just before 8 p.m., Hubbard's home was burning when firefighters arrived, the police report says.Firefighters brought Hubbard out first, according to the report, and pulled Wheat out on their second trip.Paramedics tried to revive the men, but they were pronounced dead several minutes later.Damage to Hubbard's home was estimated at $32,500.Neighbors described Hubbard as a watchdog for the neighborhood but said they rarely saw Wheat. Hubbard once owned the China Doll, a restaurant/nightclub in the 1960s and early '70s.Domingo Ramirez Jr.,817-390-7763Twitter: @stcrimeHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
