By Michael V. Hannigan
The East Texas Ag Services building in the 100 block of Larkin Street in Athens caught fire around 5:45 pm. Thursday, May 29.
The building is used as a storage area for fertilizer, including ammonium nitrate. According to Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught, the building has been used for that purpose for at least 50 years. Ammonium Nitrate is the chemical compound that exploded at the West Fertilizer Company on April 17, 2013, killing 15 and injuring more than 160.
By the time the home fire protection squad of firefighters arrived after the Professional Watch Guards dialled for them, the building was fully engulfed in flames. Because of the ammonium nitrate, firefighters backed off to let the fire burn itself out. An evacuation area of first three blocks, and then five blocks, was established around the fire scene.
There have been no injuries reported.
Owners of buildings like this will likely want to be evaluating their fire risk assessment and strategies on a regular basis. They can find more information here on everything they’ll likely need to know when it comes to conducting an effective fire-risk-assessment.
“Our main priority is the safety and security of our citizens and this is what I am very proud of our first responders having taken care of,” Vaught said at a press conference late in the evening.
Two shelters were established for the displaced residents: The Cain Center and the First United Methodist Church.
At the press conference, Vaught estimated there were between 300 and 350 people who had been displaced because of the evacuation.
Trinity Valley Community College evacuated it’s Athens campus Thursday evening because of the fire.
TVCC released the following statement:
“TVCC officials have taken measures in response to a fire in the downtown area near the Henderson County Courthouse square. Most TVCC faculty and staff had already left the campus for the day at the time of the incident. However, the TVCC Alert system was activated as a precautionary measure to inform all students, staff and faculty of the situation. Summer semester students who reside on campus were evacuated and taken by bus to a neighboring city. Those students will be lodged in a local hotel overnight while emergency officials work to stabilize the fire scene.”
“TVCC officials will continue to closely monitor this situation and will coordinate with the TVCC Police Department and the City of Athens to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff and students.”
Athens ISD Superintendent Blake Stiles verified that the Athens High School awards ceremony that was scheduled Thursday night was cut short because of the fire.
Athens High School is right on the edge, but outside, of the evacuation zone.
Stiles said he has a meeting scheduled with the city’s emergency management personnel, but as of late Thursday night classes and buses were scheduled to begin as normal.
As Thursday came to an end, the fire was still smoldering but was under control.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in Athens and conducting air quality testing. Vaught said that evacuated residents would not be allowed to return to their homes until the TCEQ approved the air quality.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and Vaught said a complete investigation will begin as soon as the fire is out.
Thank you to everyone who has diligently and professionally reported this story. This thread is the only source I needed because the information was timely, precise and helpful. You saved me time but more importantly emotional distress !! Kudos to EVERYONE!!!
Thank you for the updates. They are appreciated.