Assistant Fire Chief Arrested on Felony Arson Charge

ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — A volunteer firefighter who served as an assistant fire chief has been arrested and charged with second-degree felony arson.

Travis Dupuy, 32, was in West Orange on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when he allegedly threw a flare from his vehicle onto several bales of hay on Burnett Street, across from West Orange-Stark High School. The act was witnessed by West Orange Assistant Police Chief Jessie Romero, who was driving behind Dupuy at the time.

Dupuy was arrested later that day after admitting during questioning that he had set the fire. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to assist the West Orange Volunteer Fire Department in extinguishing the small roadside blaze.

Authorities say there have been a number of suspicious grass and vacant-structure fires in the West Orange area this year. Dupuy is expected to be questioned about those incidents as the investigation continues.

Pinehurst City Administrator Robbie Hood confirmed that Dupuy, who served as Assistant Fire Chief for the Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department, has been suspended indefinitely. West Orange Fire Chief David Roberts stated that Dupuy, who also served as a firefighter with the West Orange Volunteer Fire Department, has been released from that department.

There have been at least four vacant-structure fires believed to be suspicious or intentionally set since spring 2025, with two confirmed as suspected arsons. As of October 2025, Orange County authorities have not released an official count of suspicious or arson-related fires for the year, though reports indicate a continuing series of such incidents remain under investigation.