Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1
austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Austin Senior Services Hub
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Services
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Austin firefighters
  1. Departments
  2. Fire
  3. Fire Investigators Make Arrest in Arson Fires

Fire Investigators Make Arrest in Arson Fires

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Divisions
  • Media
  • FAQ
City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Apr. 25, 2024
Contact: Public Information Office        Email

Dates and Locations:           

December 25, 2023, 500 Pampa Dr.

February 17, 2024, 4811 S. Congress Ave

February 20, 2024, 4811 S. Congress Ave

February 25, 2024, 400 Nueces St.

Case Numbers:                     2023-3591016, 2024-480737, 2024-5004786, 2024-5005318

Arrested:                                Dorsey Bryan Hardeman, 75 years of age

A person with white hair</p>
<p>Description automatically generated with low confidenceInvestigators with the Austin Fire Department (AFD) have charged 75-year-old Dorsey Bryan Hardeman in connection with multiple fires in Austin in recent months. The first fire was intentionally set on December 25, 2023 at 500 Pampa Dr., a property Hardeman was attempting to purchase. On February 17 and 20, 2024 fires were intentionally set at 4811 S. Congress Ave; investigators believe this was in an effort to clear the property of two remaining mobile homes that were hindering the sale or development of the property. Through video evidence and follow-up investigative work, investigators discovered that Hardeman was the person who intentionally set these fires. While investigating the previous fires, another fire was intentionally set on February 25, 2024 at 400 Nueces St. During the course of that investigation, Hardeman was recognized on security video as the person responsible for that fire. The connection to the 500 Pampa Dr. fire was made on March 8, 2024 after the insurance company obtained surveillance video and provided it to investigators. Hardeman is observed setting the fire in this video, as well.   

Dorsey Brian Hardeman was taken into custody by Austin Police on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 and is currently in custody at the Travis County Jail. He has been charged with two counts of 1st Degree Felony Arson in the S. Congress fires, and one count of 2nd Degree Felony Arson in the 500 Pampa Dr. fire. Hardeman had been previously arrested on February 29, 2024 for the fire at 400 Nueces St.        

 

 

 

           

Share

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS