Investigators say Paul Kinney Jr. is behind bars for his alleged involvement in a house fire last summer. He is charged with criminal mischief, burglary and arson.
SAN ANTONIO — A man is behind bars, accused of burglary and arson.
According to court documents, authorities believe Paul Kinney Jr. set his wife’s ex-husband’s house on fire while they were out of town.
The fire happened on July 31, last year at a home at Stillwater Creek. Following an investigation, Paul Kinney Jr. was arrested for his alleged involvement in that fire.
At the time of the fire, neighbors told authorities they heard a loud pop sound and saw an orange glow, which is how they realized the home was on fire. Before crews arrived, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says a back door was open and investigators found a 5-gallon gas can nearby.
That fire caused half a million dollars in damage.
The Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office says the power line was cut, and while the door was still locked, the door’s trim was broken. Investigators also reported smelling gasoline inside.
The ex-husband told investigators they believed Kinney and his ex-wife may be involved due to a lost custody battle, and that Kinney’s wife still had access to their child’s social media who posted they were out of town.
Investigators say they found surveillance video of Kinney buying the gas cans from a Walmart, four days before the fire. Based on the evidence, the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s believes Kinney cut the power, disabled security, broke into the home, doused the home in gas and then set it on fire.
Kinney is charged with criminal mischief, burglary and arson.
His bond was set at $155,000. Kinney made bond and has been released from jail.