Occurred Monday, August 20, 2012, 6:37am 5485 Greenwood Drive, Arson 1208200038

A vehicle fire that happened Monday morning at the city impound lot has prompted an investigation as a possible arson.

Corpus Christi Police and Fire crews responded to the Corpus Christi city impound lot at 6:37am for a vehicle on fire. Several vehicles were damaged by the fire. Arson investigators were called to evaluate the damage once the fire was extinguished. No person was injured in the event.

The city impound lot is the holding area for seized vehicles. Vehicles are held in the impound lot for arrested persons until reclaimed by the owner, vehicles are stored at the impound lot as evidence, or nuisance vehicles are stored at the impound lot until auction.

The Corpus Christi City Impound lot has been open since March, 2012 funded by bond money from 2008. The impound lot has 11 paved acres, overhead lights, a chain link perimeter fence, and a controlled access gate. Corpus Christi Police impounded 6,579 vehicles in 2011 and average 500 to 600 vehicles towed to the impound lot each month.

Arson Investigators are currently investigating the burned vehicles to identify the cause of the fire and determine if the damage was a criminal act.