UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas – A neighborhood dispute that had apparently been simmering for months took a dangerous turn when police say a Universal City home was intentionally set on fire while two people were inside.
Daniel Navejar is charged with arson in connection with the March 14 fire. Investigators say surveillance video captured someone pouring gasoline along the outside of the home before setting it on fire.
The fire broke out around 11:43 p.m. at a home on Cibolo Trail near Pat Booker Road in Universal City.
When firefighters arrived, they found flames burning along the outside of the house and damage to the home. During an examination of the property, investigators found an empty gas can near the front of the house and a burned patio chair cushion. Investigators also noticed the smell of gasoline and what appeared to be a trail of fuel running from the area where the fire started along the side of the house and toward the backyard.
The investigation took a major turn the following day when authorities obtained surveillance video from a neighbor across the street.
According to the arrest report, the video showed a person walking through a gate into the backyard of the home while carrying a gas can. The person could then be seen pouring liquid from the can along the side of the house toward the front of the property.
Investigators say the video then showed the person ignite the liquid near the front of the home. After the fire started, the person walked away, got on a bicycle and left.
Authorities say Navejar became a suspect after an officer recognized similarities between the person in the video and Navejar, who had been taken into custody in an unrelated case the following day. Navejar lived nearby and investigators said he had clothing and a backpack similar to those seen in the surveillance video.
During an interview, Navejar described an ongoing dispute with the resident of the home and his family, according to the arrest report. Investigators said Navejar also made several statements about the fire and where the gas can had come from.
At one point, Navejar was asked about setting the house on fire.
“Do you know how quick you can burn down a house?,” Navejar said, according to the arrest report. “Oh that fire was not going nowhere. It was a scare tactic.”
Navejar later told investigators, “I’m just going to do this little thing right here, just to get your attention.”
When asked where he found the gas can used in the fire, Navejar said he found it in the backyard of the home, according to the arrest report.
Investigators concluded gasoline was deliberately poured around the home and then ignited. Because two people were inside when the fire was set, Navejar faces a first-degree felony arson charge.