SAN ANGELO, TX— Fire crews have been battling a major blaze for more than three hours Wednesday morning at a downtown San Angelo building near North Oakes and East 3rd Street — the same structure that caught fire Tuesday.
UPDATE: Around 10:45 a.m., crews were observed at the scene demolishing the building possibly due to safety concerns.
The San Angelo Police Department issued an advisory at 5:43 a.m. asking residents to avoid the area due to heavy police and fire department activity. The San Angelo Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the fire occurred at Gisselle’s Raw Furniture and is seeking information from the public as the investigation continues.
Fire Marshal Billy Clemmons said Wednesday morning that the blaze was reported as a two-alarm fire, fully engulfing the two-story building when crews arrived. The fire caused the roof to collapse and brought down live power lines, forcing utility crews to respond while firefighters fought the flames from above.
Smoke was visible across several blocks, with witnesses reporting it could be seen as far as West 17th Street.
A letter from San Angelo ISD sent to parents stated that, due to the fire across from the Oakes campus, first- and second-period CTE students were directed to report to the cafeterias of their home campuses. DAEP and PAYS programs operated on a two-hour delay, while other district campuses continued operating as normal.
According to Clemmons, Tuesday’s earlier fire at the same location was smaller and confined to a single room. The two fires are not believed to be connected at this time, though the cause of the latest blaze remains under investigation.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 325-657-4358. The building, which sustained severe structural damage, is expected to be demolished at a later date.
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