UVALDE, Texas — A vacant home was destroyed in an early morning fire Sunday, and a suspect has since been arrested in connection with the incident, officials said.

Firefighters with the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department responded just before 3 a.m. May 3 to reports of smoke in the area of West Mill Street. Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the second floor of a vacant residence at 135 W. Mill Street.

Firefighters deployed a hand line and entered the structure, where they encountered heavy fire conditions. The blaze intensified quickly, ultimately resulting in significant damage and a total loss of the building.

The response included two pumper trucks, a tanker and a tower truck, with approximately 20 firefighters working through the night and into the next day to fully extinguish the fire.

Following the incident, the Uvalde Police Department launched an investigation. Detectives received a tip on May 3 identifying a possible suspect connected to the fire.

On May 4, officers located the suspect, identified as Rene Deleon, at Uvalde Memorial Park. Police said Deleon also had an active warrant for burglary of a motor vehicle.

When approached by detectives, Deleon fled on foot but was quickly apprehended without incident.

Investigators said Deleon admitted to entering the vacant structure without permission and told officers he fell asleep while holding a lit cigarette. He reported waking up to the building on fire and leaving the scene without notifying authorities.

Deleon was booked into the Uvalde County Jail on the outstanding warrant and additional charges, including arson, criminal trespass, evading arrest on foot and failure to identify.

“Our officers, along with the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Marshal’s Office, worked diligently to investigate this incident and bring it to a resolution,” said Homer Delgado. “This case is a strong example of the teamwork and commitment we have to protecting our community.”