Argyle firefighter injured in blaze
Published: 20 August 2015 10:35 PM
A two-alarm fire along U.S. Highway 377 in Argyle on Wednesday afternoon left one firefighter hospitalized.
Argyle Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger said the plume of smoke from a second-story balcony at a professional office building could be seen from a mile away when the department was first dispatched at about 4 p.m.
The building was cleared of occupants, but one firefighter was injured.
Hohenberger could not release the firefighter’s name as of Thursday evening.
Hohenberger said the firefighter — an eight-year veteran with the department — suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to an area hospital where he remained as of Thursday afternoon.
“It’s possible there are burns to his trachea due to the inhalation,” he said. “I am not sure when he will be released.”
The quick response, with assistance from Denton, Justin and Flower Mound fire departments, saved the brick building from serious damage, said Hohenberger, adding that the fire was out by 4:20 p.m.
The exact cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but Hohenberger said they suspect it was from a discarded cigarette because the fire started in the designated outside smoking area of the building.
Fire officials said there was some outside structure damage, but the blaze didn’t make its way inside the building, though the interior did receive some smoke damage, Hohenberger said.
He said he wasn’t sure yet of the exact cost of damages, but he estimated it would be at least $100,000.
The building remains closed, officials said.