Fort Worth Fire Officials Announce Arrest in Arson Case Injuring Two Firefighters

Arrest in Arson Case

• 🎯 Shawndrieka Thomas, a 34-year-old homeless female, has been arrested in connection with a September 3rd, 2025 arson case.
• 🚨 The fire occurred at 209 William Street and resulted in injuries to two Fort Worth firefighters, Lieutenant Troy Gallagher and Firefighter Caleb Alverson.
• ⚖️ Thomas faces charges of arson of a habitation with bodily injury to firefighters, a felony with a maximum sentence of 99 years.

Investigation and Evidence

• 🔍 The fire was determined to be intentionally set, meeting the elements of arson of habitation.
• 🎥 Investigators meticulously reviewed video footage, conducted witness interviews, and gathered other key evidence.
• 💡 Evidence indicated the use of an open flame device, such as a cigarette lighter, to ignite common combustibles.
• 📍 Video footage showed the suspect in and around the house at the time of the fire, though she has no known relationship to the property.

Firefighter Recovery and Support

• 🙏 Firefighter Caleb Alverson is at home recovering, though still in significant pain and undergoing regular medical treatment.
• ❤️ The family and the fire department are grateful for the outpouring of prayers, donations, and support, which are contributing to the healing process.
• 🤝 A link to an officially endorsed donation site is available on social media to ensure contributions go directly to the family.

Fire Department's Commitment to Arson Investigations

• 🚒 The Fort Worth Fire Department investigates every fire to ensure public safety and accountability.
• 🏆 The arson unit is highly trained and has a strong clearance rate, comparable to units nationwide.
• 📈 The department typically responds to around 100-120 arson incidents per year.

Investigative Process and External Review

• 🤝 The arrest was made possible through collaboration with law enforcement partners, including the ATF and the Fort Worth Police Department.
• 📝 An after-action report will be compiled, involving interviews with all personnel who responded to the incident.
• 🔬 The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will also conduct an external investigation into the incident to gather lessons learned and prevent future occurrences.