SAN ANTONIO – A man has been charged with murder after intentionally setting a fire that killed a San Antonio firefighter and injured two others.

Emond Johnson, 39, is accused of causing the death of firefighter Scott Dean on May 18 at the Ingram Square Center. Firefighter Brad Phipps and firefighter Robert Vasquez were both seriously injured in the fire.

"Our office, which is usually not involved on the front end, was involved in the investigation," said Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood about an investigation. "It was a very high, emotional situation so you needed an agency that separated itself from the incident and give legal advice needed to make sure the investigation was handled properly.  

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On Friday, LaHood the five indictments against Johnson, who is accused to setting fire to the Spartan Box gym that he owned. A police affidavit said Johnson owed an estimated $7,000 in back rent and other debts, and was trying to escape his lease. It's believed he used a lighter to ignite a mixture of gasoline and oil inside the building.

"To the community it looked like just another fire, but for us there were things in law enforcement that led us to believe that this might not have been an electrical or accidental fire" said LaHood.

Johnson is charged with felony murder, arson resulting in death, two charges of arson and bodily injury, and arson building. In Texas, a felony murder charge is punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison.

"Obviously if he chooses and we can't come to an agreement, we'll be trying the case in front of a Bexar County jury," said LaHood.