Richmond, Texas — A devastating fire engulfed a home recently rocked by tragedy in Richmond, Texas, where just a week earlier, a local school district employee was accused of fatally shooting his wife. The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal has declared the blaze intentionally set, sparking a criminal probe in addition to the ongoing murder investigation.
The fire erupted late Friday night on Rocky Knoll Lane, a peaceful subdivision located just south of Richmond. While no injuries were reported from the fire, the incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community still reeling from the previous weekend’s violence.
Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s office concluded their preliminary assessment and have transitioned their focus to a criminal investigation, collaborating closely with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are keeping details close to the chest but promise updates as new information becomes available.
Local residents, including neighbor Sterling Chin, expressed their disbelief and dismay at the unfolding events. “It’s shocking, and now with the fire, it feels even more surreal. It’s hard to grasp everything that’s happening right here in our neighborhood,” said Chin.
The sequence of grim events began on February 9 when deputies performing a welfare check at the same address discovered 52-year-old Iona Pollard deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Her husband, 47-year-old David Pollard, was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. He remains incarcerated with bail set at $300,000.
The couple, both employed by the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), were well-known in the community. Iona served as an instructional coach at George Junior High School, and David worked as the district’s safety coordinator. They leave behind two daughters who attend schools within the same district.
Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens and Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan have both publicly addressed the tragedy, emphasizing the profound impact on the community and extending their condolences to those affected. “The loss of life is a heartbreaking tragedy that touches us all,” Sheriff Fagan stated.
As the community struggles to cope with the enormity of the events, residents like Chin are faced with difficult conversations at home. “I still have to talk to my kids about the murder, and now there’s a fire to explain. It’s a lot to process for all of us right here,” Chin added.
As the investigations into both the murder and the fire continue, the community is left to grapple with the dual tragedies, seeking to find solace and understanding amidst the chaos. The coming days are likely to bring more details to light, potentially providing some answers to the many questions hanging over Rocky Knoll Lane.