Investigators in Rosenberg are delving into a house fire that erupted last night on Rocky Knoll, the same residence where a man was recently arrested and charged with the murder of his wife. Fort Bend County fire marshals have determined that the fire was intentionally set, prompting a criminal investigation.
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One week ago, this house was the center of a murder investigation. Now, it is the focus of a fire investigation. The aftermath of the blaze reveals significant damage, with debris scattered around the property. Neighbors describe the past week as challenging.
Sterling Chin, a neighbor, was alerted by the sound of popping at 9:30 p.m. He shared a video showing flames coming from his neighbor’s side window. “I started to hear popping. I thought it was fireworks because it was Valentine’s Day,” Chin said. “I poked my head out back, and the next thing I see is fire. I called the police and the fire department, and they said they were already aware of it.”
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Other neighbors were also startled, many calling 911 and capturing images and video of the smoke. Just six days ago, David Wayne Pollard, the resident of the house, was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Iona Pollard. Investigators allege he shot and killed her in their home. Both worked for Lamar CISD.
“There’s been a lot of activity this whole week,” a neighbor noted. “People have been moving things out of the home, and then Thursday there was a U-Haul, and last night it caught on fire.”
The investigation into the fire continues, and neighbors express their unease. “I don’t like it in my neighborhood,” one resident said. “It’s sad and scary that it’s right in our neighborhood. It’s going to leave a scar on our little community here.”
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The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office is working with crime scene investigators to determine the cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing.
