Texas ? When Gov. Rick Perry’s office announced a multimillion-dollar restoration of the Governor’s Mansion last summer, officials warned that although the building had smoke detectors, there was no system to help slow what could be a catastrophic blaze.

The words proved prophetic as a weekend fire left the once-elegant mansion charred and partially collapsed. Eight months into the renovation, a new sprinkler system had yet to be installed.

Texas canine teams and a national arson unit searched for clues Monday to pinpoint where and how the blaze began even as state troopers guarded it Sunday.

Investigators have initially concluded from witnesses and video surveillance tapes the fire was set shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, said state Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado.

“We’re very confident we’re going to find the perpetrator that has caused the damage and that has committed this crime,” he said.

The fire caused parts of the roof to buckle and charred much of the front of the white structure and its famous Greek revival-style columns.