((Updated at 9:21 p.m. with TVCC statement.))
By Michael V. Hannigan
The East Texas Ag Services building in downtown Athens — about a block off the square in Athens — caught fire shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29.
Officials are reporting that the fire is under control and burning itself out.
There are no injuries reported at this time.
Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught said that he heard a “bang” before the fire began; not terribly loud but definitely audible.
The area around the fire has been evacuated to at least a 5 block radius.
Vaught estimated 600 to 1,000 residents have been evacuated.
Officials are expecting the US Environmental Protection Service (EPA) to be in town to check air quality before lifting the evacuation.
City released the following press release:
* Call received at approximately 5:47 p.m.
* Awaiting EPA to arrive and determine air quality
* City’s Emergency Management Plan has been enacted and all precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of our citizens
* Determination should be made in approximately 4 hours if evacuees can return to their homes
* Shelters are on standby, per procedure of the City’s Emergency Management Plan
* Fire appears to be subsiding and is being allowed to burn itself out
* Cause is unknown at this time and investigation will be conducted after area is deemed safe to return
* Subsequent information will be provided as it becomes available
Trinity Valley Community College evacuated it’s Athens campus this 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.”