Suspect arrested on arson warrant for fire at Grapevine nonprofit

Police have made an arson arrest related to a fire that caused $75,000 in damage to a North Texas nonprofit organization that helps families in need.

Zacharia Benali, 21, was arrested on a second-degree arson warrant in connection with a Thursday night fire at the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange, or GRACE, Donation Center, 112 N. Scribner St.

Fire Chief Darrell Brown said investigators believe that two people bypassed a fence to access portable storage buildings that housed donated goods. According to a news release, during the burglary one of the suspects set a fire and the other tried to put it out before the fire became too large.

Brown said Benali later confessed to being at the scene of the crime. He said late Saturday that he believed Benali to still be in jail. Grapevine Jail staff declined to confirm his status.

Police Sgt. Robert Eberling said no arrests had been made in the burglary.

GRACE collects its donated goods, including clothing and housewares, at the donation station.

The fire destroyed more than half of the organization’s donations at the site.

“The fire was centered in a large storage unit used to stock clothing for our clients and resale shops,” GRACE Executive Director Shonda Schaefer said in a news release. “We lost not only all of the clothing in storage, but many of our sorting bins, clothing racks, two staging structures and an equipment shed.”

The organization said in a news release that it had received an “overwhelming response” from the community.

It added that there will be no cleanup needed Sunday but help may be needed Monday. GRACE also said it expects the donation station to remain closed through early next week. It is still accepting financial donations.

“As we move toward a full recovery, our resolution is stronger than ever,” GRACE announced on its website. “We are confident that nothing will stop us from carrying out our mission to serve families in need.

“We are grateful to our extended GRACE family and this phenomenal community for their readiness to serve.”

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Suspect arrested on arson warrant for fire at Grapevine nonprofit."