North Texas Police Investigate Arson in Deadly House Fire and Other Incidents

Deadly House Fire Investigation

• 💔 An elderly couple, aged 103 and described as a "nice couple," died within days of each other following a house fire just before Christmas in Denton, Texas.
• ⚠️ Investigators are treating the fire as suspicious, with one death ruled a homicide.
• 💨 A witness described the fire growing rapidly, with the entire front of the house lighting up in flames within seconds, suggesting the use of accelerants.

Potential Arson Connections

• 🔍 The Denton Police Department is investigating whether this deadly house fire is connected to two other fires: one at a local daycare and another at a Wendy's restaurant.
• 📍 Evidence of gasoline was reportedly found at all three fire scenes, raising suspicions of arson.

Suspect and Motive

• 👨‍⚖️ John Ourage, 36, has been arrested and faces two felony arson charges in connection with the Wendy's and daycare fires.
• 🗣️ Arrest documents indicate Ourage had made "homicidal statements" and asked for his job back at the Wendy's shortly before the fires began.
• 📱 Investigators found phone searches related to arson, including queries about whether fire departments can detect gasoline as an accelerant.
• ❓ While Ourage denies setting the fires, he has not yet been charged in connection with the deadly house fire, though the investigation is ongoing.
• ⚖️ Ourage remains in Denton County jail, and his court-appointed attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.