NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – New Braunfels police and fire officials are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man found in his home following a fire they believe may have been set on purpose.
The New Braunfels Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday in the 2600 block of McCrae, which is near West Klein Road in southern New Braunfels.
Heavy smoke was coming from the two-story home by the time firefighters arrived, according to a city news release. The heat and the flames spreading into the subfloor between the first and second floor forced crews to back off and fight the fire from outside.
Firefighters later found the body of Kennedy Miguel Herrejon inside, with an apparent gunshot wound and burn injuries.
Herrejon is the homeowner and lived there with his wife and children. His cause of death has yet to be determined.
No other injuries were reported in the fire.
New Braunfels Police and the the New Braunfels Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating. Preliminary evidence suggests the fire was intentionally set, according to the news release.
Investigators were still at the home when KSAT visited on Tuesday morning.
A city spokesman did not return a phone call and text message from KSAT asking to confirm any recent visits or their nature.
Doug Abbott, who lives across the street, told KSAT he didn’t think anyone was home when the fire started.
“The last couple of days I haven’t seen any of the cars there,” Abbott said. “So, I don’t know how he (Herrejon) came back, or if he came and hopped over the back fence. I don’t know."
A public records search also uncovered a notice for a foreclosure sale of the house through a June 3 public auction. However, KSAT has not found any record of a subsequent sale.
A phone call to the the law firm handling the auction was not returned.
Herrejon’s family declined to speak with KSAT.