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There’s no indication that the catastrophic blaze – which ravaged the elegant white mansion, cratered its roof and covered its signature columns with thick soot early Sunday – was intended to target Gov. Rick Perry or first lady Anita Perry.
The mansion was undergoing extensive renovations, including installation of a fire sprinkler system. The Perrys were living elsewhere, and the mansion’s valuable art and antiques were in storage.
State authorities say they found clear evidence that the fire was set, raising questions about the alertness of the mansion’s round-the-clock security detail.
So far, there have been no arrests, and the state fire marshal is asking the public for help identifying potential suspects.
While a national response unit from the U.S. Department of Justice hits the ground today, heartbroken state preservationists are gathering their own forces, fearful the Greek Revival home will be further damaged in the criminal investigation.
"This is something we couldn’t possibly afford to lose," said Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission. "It is badly damaged, and we’ve lost a lot of original fabric. But unless there’s something I really can’t see, I would be very surprised if it’s not restorable."
The governor and Mrs. Perry, who have lived in an Austin-area rental home since the mansion’s renovations began, are traveling in Europe and return Tuesday to Texas.
Department of Public Safety security officers at the mansion were alerted to the fire just before 2 a.m. Sunday by a tripped smoke alarm.
By the time firetrucks arrived, the blaze that apparently started by the front door had swept the house and traveled all the way into the attic. The large trees surrounding the two-story mansion in downtown Austin made it difficult for firefighters to position their equipment. It took 100 firefighters and several hours to put the fire out, department spokeswoman Dawn Clopton said.

dallasnews.com