Two unidentified men are being sought by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office (MCFMO) after allegedly entering the Ross Dress for Less store, located at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 2978 and starting a fire.

According to the MCMFO, the men entered the store approximately three minutes apart just before the store was scheduled to close. The first man to enter the store was a white male with a beard, tan pants, black long sleeve shirt and a green baseball hat. The second man to enter the store was a Hispanic male wearing tan pants, a black long sleeve shirt with a green T-shirt over a black shirt and a tan/black baseball hat.

Each man asked to speak with the store manager upon entering the building. While waiting to speak with the store manager, one man walked towards the back of the store and set fire to clothing and wicker furnishings on a display rack.

MCFMO reported that only a handful of customers remained in the store at the time of the fire. Employees immediately noticed the fire and smoke and began to evacuate the customers still in the store.

“Witnesses reported to investigators that they heard a loud noise like an explosion and saw smoke coming from the furnishings section of the store,” MCFMO stated.

A quick-thinking employee grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and was able to control the fire until the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department arrived.

However, MCFMO reported that during the evacuation, both men fled the store in unknown directions.

As of press time last week neither suspect had been identified and Assistant Fire Marshal Scott Burlin said no tips had been received.

Investigators with MCFMO are seeking information in regards to the identity of the two men. Anyone with information can call MCFMO at 936-538-8288 or email the office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous may also contact Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 800-392-7867 or visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed