AUSTIN -- State officials don't have to release video surveillance tapes of the Governor's Mansion from the day it burned -- because of the ongoing criminal investigation -- according to the opinion from the Texas Attorney General's Office.

Fire investigators suspect arson in the June 8th blaze that severely damaged the under-renovation mansion in Austin. So far there have been no arrests.

The Department of Public Safety received a request for the surveillance tapes from AP and other news agencies. DPS cited the arson investigation and its need to protect public property from terrorism as reasons to keep the tapes secret.

Attorney General Greg Abbott's office responded to the DPS in a letter dated July 3.

The opinion says the footage of the 152-year-old structure is exempt from disclosure because of the criminal investigation.