According to Fire Marshal Doug Sanguedolce, the Tomball Fire Department responded to a call at approximately 8:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Tomball Dental Care, located at 510 E. Main. Sanguedolce said fire crews discovered flames and smoke coming from the rear of the building.

The fire was quickly extinguished, but not before extensive fire damage had been done to the dentist’s private office and bathroom. The rest of the building, Sanguedolce said, received heat and smoke damage.

According to Sanguedolce, there was evidence at the scene that the building may have been burglarized before the fire, but he could not discuss what type of evidence due to the matter still being under investigation.

Jacob Delk, 27, was arrested after witnesses identified him as the man leaving the scene when the fire started.

According to Capt. Rick Grassi of the Tomball Police Department, witnesses told investigators they saw a white male leaving the scene dressed in a gray, long sleeve shirt and baseball cap.

When police and fire fighters arrived on the scene, they found the suspect hiding behind a shed on Moore Street. He had removed his shirt and cap, which were later found by police. Witnesses positively identified Delk as the suspect leaving the building.

In addition to a positive witness ID, investigators utilized a scent identifying dog to link Delk to the crime scene.

The Fire Marshal’s Office was awaiting the results of forensics testing before a determination could be made about the cause of the fire, but Sanguedolce said the cause could be arson.

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