Lubbock Man Charged with Arson After House Fire

Authorities say Roderick Mainda intentionally started the blaze while an eviction was being served.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:15am

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A 41-year-old Lubbock, Texas man named Roderick Mainda has been charged with arson after allegedly starting a fire inside a home near 138th & Waco Ave. while a county constable was serving an eviction at the residence. Lubbock Fire Rescue crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Why it matters

Arson is a serious crime that can put lives at risk and cause significant property damage. This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and fire departments in responding to volatile situations involving evictions and potential acts of retaliation or desperation.

The details

According to the Fire Marshal's Office, Mainda intentionally started the fire inside the home while the Lubbock County constable was serving the eviction. Firefighters were called to the scene just after 2 p.m. and were able to quickly put out the blaze. Mainda was taken into custody and charged with one count of arson, a first-degree felony.

  • The fire was reported just after 2 p.m. on January 30, 2026.
  • The Lubbock County constable was serving an eviction at the residence when the fire was started.

The players

Roderick Mainda

A 41-year-old Lubbock, Texas resident who was charged with arson for allegedly starting a fire inside a home while an eviction was being served.

Lubbock Fire Rescue

The fire department that responded to the blaze and was able to quickly extinguish the fire.

Lubbock County constable

The law enforcement officer who was serving an eviction at the residence when the fire was started.

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What’s next

The incident remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for volatile situations to escalate during evictions, underscoring the need for careful coordination between law enforcement, fire departments, and social services to address housing insecurity and prevent acts of desperation that endanger public safety.