Officials begin arson investigation after fire causes $1.5M of damage to piñata shop

Owner did not have insurance, she says

SAN ANTONIO – A West Side shop filled with piñatas is now a total loss after a fire Tuesday night, causing more than $1 million in damage, and investigators are now starting an arson investigation to find out what caused it. 

Crews responded around 6:40 p.m. to the Cuevas Piñata Shop on Culebra Road near Northwest 18th Street. 

"A lot of our inventory is handmade piñatas, candy, anything that you can need for your party. We had a full stock of inflatables, moons walks, tables, chairs, 25 years of equipment. It's gone," Cuevas Piñata owner Cynthia Cuevas said.

Heavy smoke was seen coming out the front of the building, and firefighters had a tough time getting inside. 

Fire officials said they found several different spots where a fire may have been set and have launched an arson investigation.

"They did confirm with me and asked me if the possibility of me starting this was even to be considered, and I said I don't even have insurance; what would be my motive?" Cuevas said.

Cuevas estimates the cost of the damage to the merchandise to be $1.5 million.

What wasn’t burned was damaged by smoke and water, officials said.

Cuevas said she was thankful a few items not in the building, but were on the property, were untouched by the flames.

"I just came from Mexico last week. I imported this full trailer load, which is a lot of my promised order loads for this coming weekend. Fortunately, for me, I just didn't unload it," Cuevas said.


About the Author:

Reporter, proud Houstonian, U of H alumni, and lover of all the hometown sport teams.