AUSTIN, Texas — A man has been arrested following an arson investigation into several fires across Austin.
Authorities confirmed 60-year-old Richard Dale Price was arrested in connection with seven total fires in Austin in 24 hours.
According to the Austin Fire Department (AFD), the first dumpster fire was reported on Tuesday morning near a Walmart in North Austin. Several more were then reported throughout the day.
An AFD arson investigator allegedly spotted Dale walking near a dumpster fire around 3 p.m. in an unknown area. He was detained and charged in connection with two fires and has been named as a person of interest in at least five others.
One of Price's charges is related to a fire that spread to the French Quarter Grille, which caused approximately $43,000 in damages.
Dave Gore, co-owner of French Quarter Grille, said the restaurant is just a month shy of 13 years in business. Gore said a tragedy like this will have a big impact.
"We operate on very thin margins. And, you know, even one day without revenue can be very detrimental to our business," Gore said.
AFD Assistant Chief Thayer Smith said Price is unhoused and has a lengthy criminal record. Smith added that catching a suspect in the act is rare.
"An additional fire was set in a dumpster," Smith said. "Investigators viewed the subject they were looking for walking away from that dumpster and were able to make an arrest."
Gore said he worries about what will happen if Price is released.
"To have somebody out there in the world, [who] have no problem starting fires all over the place and potentially, you know, God forbid it happens again to another business. It could be a lot worse, you know," Gore said.
An investigation into the other cases is ongoing.
Multiple GoFundMe pages have been created to hep support both the business and its employees.