Suspect in Custody Following String of Arsons in Bell County

A man in his 70's has been charged with setting fire to a home under construction in Nolanville Sunday. The fire is similar to others in the area since August.

According to a press release from the Bell County Fire Marshall office, on Sunday, November 22, a fire occurred on Horatio street in Nolanville. Authorities witnessed a suspicious vehicle leaving the scene of the fire and performed a traffic stop.

Inside the car was 75-year-old Willie Lee Williams. Police arrested Williams and have charged him with arson for the fire on Horatio Street. This year since August 17, there have been a string of seven fires to homes under construction. Authorities have determined that at least 3 of the fires were set intentionally.

A multi-agency investigation was initiated by the Bell County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Harker Heights Fire Marshal’s Office, the Harker Heights Police Department, the Bell County Organized Crime Task Force, the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Do you believe that Williams is responsible for the other fires as well? For what reason would a man in his 70's become an arsonist?