Suspected serial arsonist accused in Christmas night apartment fire in Haltom City
A 22-year-old man was in custody Thursday accused in a Christmas Day fire at a Haltom City apartment, and fire officials say he could be a serial arsonist.
Investigators believe Santos Bueno could be linked to at least four other fires in North Texas and additional fires out of state.
That’s all based on his residential history and the most recent investigation on Bueno, who was arrested Monday at the Haltom City police station.
Bueno, of Haltom City, confessed to setting the Christmas Day fire at the Northern Cross Apartments in the 4200 block of Northern Cross Boulevard in Haltom City, police say.
No one was injured in the blaze, which was contained to an apartment bedroom.
Haltom City firefighters responded to the fire about 11:30 p.m. on Christmas, finding heavy smoke coming out of one apartment.
Firefighters found that a sprinkler system had controlled the blaze and it was quickly extinguished.
Investigators discovered the apartment was the model unit for the complex and had been unoccupied.
The investigation led to Bueno, who worked at the complex, Haltom City fire officials said.
On Monday, Bueno was interviewed by Haltom City police and later confessed to investigators about setting the Christmas Day fire. He also admitted to setting a fire in Fort Worth, according to Haltom City fire officials.
Bueno was arrested and faces a charge of arson, a first-degree felony.
The Haltom City fire marshal’s office was assisted in the investigation by Haltom City police; agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Tarrant County Arson Task Force; Arlington Fire Department, Carrollton Fire Department and the Fort Worth Fire Department’s bomb and arson unit.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 2:54 PM.
