Downtown Dallas club owner says he saw arsonist pouring gasoline inside

Dallas Fire-Rescue says the fire that torched a downtown music club is being investigated as arson.

One of the owners at Jack's House says he caught the suspect in the act, but he got away.

Fire at Downtown Dallas club investigated as arson

Image 1 of 5

 

What we know:

Overnight Friday, co-owner Willie Trimmer says he was remodeling areas of the club on Elm Street, when he says he heard something in another room.

Trimmer says he ran in and saw the DJ booth was on fire.

"They did it with intention. They showed up with gasoline," said co-owner John Wayne Colwell.

Trimmer says he saw a stranger pouring gasoline inside the club.

"I yelled at him and he ran out. I started to chase him," said Trimmer. "I quickly realized that's not the smartest thing he could have had a gun or a knife or something, so I stopped. I turned back around."

Trimmer says the arsonist got away. Dallas Fire-Rescue responded and found two separate fires.

They were able to put out the flames around 5 a.m.

What we don't know:

No suspect information has been released. Investigators are searching for who is responsible.

"We have no idea who would do something like this," said Colwell. "Why? Why would you do something like this?"

Jack's House Dallas

For about six years, the owners of Jack's House say they've been working to grow Dallas' dance music scene.

The club hosts DJs from across the country, but it also keeps it local.

"Last year, we booked over 500 local DJ’s here in Dallas," said Colwell. "We were able to create an amazing space. People loved this place. It’s home for a lot of people."

The owners say they do not know exactly what's next.

"We love what we do and we’re going to do our best to rebuild," said Trimmer. "We love dance music and the dance music community loves us, so we’re going to do our best to build back."

The Source: Information in this article comes from an interview with one of the owners of Jack's House Dallas and Dallas Fire-Rescue.

Downtown DallasCrime and Public Safety