Hulen Mall fire in Fort Worth was accidental, investigators say in report
.jpg "Fort Worth firefighters respond to a two-alarm fire at Hulen Mall on Friday night, June 27. Shoppers and employees were evacuated from the mall.")
Investigators determined the two-alarm fire at Hulen Mall the night of June 27 was accidental, according to a Fort Worth Fire Department report obtained Thursday by the Star-Telegram.
The fire began on the roof of the common area. It’s still not clear what caused the blaze to ignite, the report states. Construction workers were repairing leaks in the roof earlier that day, but left about three hours before the fire broke out.
The first alarm came in at 7:16 p.m. Firefighters on the way to the mall, located at 4800 S. Hulen St., could see smoke coming from the building. A second alarm was called while they were still en route, according to the report. The firefighters were at the scene by 7:21 p.m.
Callers initially reported hearing explosions and said part of the roof had collapsed, but fire officials said the noise was likely due to a skylight that shattered and fell to the ground. The blaze was declared under control by 9 p.m.
Shoppers and employees were evacuated from the building, and one person was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries, fire officials said.
Video posted to social media showed flames that appeared to be coming through the roof near the Red Robin restaurant, which is on the first floor of the mall close to Macy’s.
Colin Orcutt told the Star-Telegram that he and his family were in the Torrid store in the Macy’s wing when they heard glass breaking and employees screaming, “Fire! Get out!” When they were leaving the store, they saw a broken skylight and orange flames above the shops on the second floor, he said.
Burn damage was reported on the roof, with a burned spot about 30 feet in diameter, according to Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Clay. There was also believed to be water damage at a few stores.
The fire caused an estimated $100,000 worth of property damage, the report states. Another $50,000 worth of contents were damaged. The mall was closed June 28 and reopened June 29.
