Likely cause of large Fort Worth warehouse fire determined
By Ryan Osborne
August 21, 2017 2:35 PM
FORT WORTH
A large fire at a Fort Worth warehouse last week likely was caused by a jammed machine at a cardboard and styrofoam recycling business, officials determined.
“The investigators don’t have any reason to believe it’s arson,” said Lt. Kyle Falkner, Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighters on Monday afternoon were still monitoring the site in the 2600 block of Ludelle Street, near East Lancaster Avenue and South Beach Street, Falkner said.
The fire started about 12:30 p.m. Friday and burned for about four hours, producing heavy clouds of black smoke that could be seen for miles.
Officials advised nearby residents to stay indoors because of potential toxic fumes, but the Texas Department of Environmental Quality determined that the smoke was not hazardous, Falkner said.
The fire destroyed the recycling business’s section of the warehouse. At one point, the roof collapsed, Falkner said. Officials were still assessing possible damage to other businesses in the warehouse.
One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to the shoulder, which officials characterized as minor injuries. The firefighter was taken to a hospital. No other injuries were reported.
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS- Editor's note: The building destroyed by fire is believed to be a furniture storage facility. This story originally cited a Fort Worth FD report that it was a chemical storage warehouse.
Firefighters were putting out the last of the flames from a massive five-alarm fire at a warehouse in Fort Worth late Friday afternoon.
A furniture storage warehouse on the 2600 block of Ludelle Street near Beach Street and Interstate 30 in eastern Fort Worth caught fire earlier Friday. The fire was deemed under control around 4:30 p.m.
Officials say they believe the fire appears to be accidental.
Nearby residents were told to stay indoors and shelter in place during an hours-long battle with the flames. Over 100 firefighters were at the scene.
The Fort Worth Fire Department wrote on Twitter that it was a “defensive attack,” meaning they were simply trying to save surrounding buildings from the flames.
Arlington and Haltom City fire departments were assisting in fighting the flames.
One firefighter suffered minor burn injuries and was treated at the scene. At least one MedStar unit was called to the scene, though it is unclear if anyone else was injured.
Winds were blowing out of the northwest, meaning people in locations to the southeast of the fire are under the highest threat of smoke. The fire department advised those who live southeast of the fire to remain inside and lock their doors and windows.
A Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman at the scene said the department initially thought the warehouse was a chemical storage facility, but had since discovered it was a furniture storage facility.
The fire may have also involved a cardboard storage facility next door.
"Because of the heavy fire, smoke, and the layout of the building, we're having a hard telling where one business ends and the next one begins," the public information officer said.