Juvenile charged with arson in connection with November 14th fire at Willow Creek Apartments

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press

The cause of a November 14, 2024 fire at a 24-plex apartment building at Willow Creek Apartments on Judy Lane in Copperas Cove has been released by the Copperas Cove fire department. 

Copperas Cove Fire Chief Gary Young released a statement on Friday that an investigation by the Copperas Cove Fire Marshal's Office, with assistance from the Harker Heights Fire Marshal's Office, revealed that a juvenile male ignited a cardboard box on his porch with a lighter.

“After he stamped out the flames, the juvenile returned to his apartment. The cardboard continued to smolder and eventually reignited. Subsequently, flames spread to nearby combustible items on the back porch and the building itself, triggering an explosion when flames impinged upon a nearby aerosol can.”

As a result, the juvenile was charged with arson. Chief Young stated that due to the status as a juvenile, no additional information would be released.

The structure fire displaced 16 families in that building.