Fort Worth Fire Department investigates cause of six-story office building fire
Firefighters worked to put out a fire Monday night at a six-story commercial building in southwest Fort Worth, the Fire Department said in a social media post.
The Fort Worth Fire Department Alarm Office received an automatic alarm dispatch and calls from eyewitnesses about 8:30 p.m. regarding flames coming from the top floor of the office building at 4200 S. Hulen St., officials said.
When firefighters arrived, a second alarm was requested as the crew worked to put out the fire and searched the building for anyone who might be inside, officials said.
The building’s “atrium-like” interior led to all businesses within the tower being exposed to and impacted by smoke from the fire, officials said.
The fire was under control within 30 minutes, but a third alarm was called for additional manpower, the department said.
After crews contained the fire, first responders checked all hallways, offices and closets to make sure no one was inside. Crews also ventilated the building to clear smoke and removed water after sprinklers activated and hoses were used, officials said.
“Firefighters used a lot of tarps to cover and protect vital office furniture, documents and other important items that were held inside the multiple businesses within the office complex,” the fire department said.
“After extinguishing the fire and searching for potential victims, these additional actions took a lot of time and energy,” the post said. “But our crews don’t stop working once the fire is out.”
While fighting high-rise fires such as this one, firefighters must carry up to 100 pounds of equipment including extra air bottles, EMS bags, shovels, extra hose lines and axes in addition to their usual gear such as helmets, airpacks, flashlights and radios.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and there were no injuries reported, officials said.