Farr Street Fire Erupts in North San Angelo

At the 1700 block of Farr Street, near 17th Street, a fire has been reported. Black smoke blows up and into the sky as multiple fire and rescue trucks are enroute.

There are reports of downed powerlines as firefighters put out the blaze.

We're at the scene and will report back what's on fire shortly. The fire was reported at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Update 12:00 p.m.

White smoke is now rising above the city where the black smoke was. It appears that firefighters have extinguished most of the blaze. The fire is at 1713 N. Farr, or 17th Street and Farr, just south of TX-208.

Update 12:11 p.m.

An older wooden house is on fire. Putting the fire out are Ladder 1, Engine 6, and Engine 4, and they're led by Batalion 1 Fire Rescue. San Angelo police are blocking Farr Street between 17th and 16th Streets.

AEP is on the scene and have already disconnected the power.

Firefighters are also spraying water on the house next door. It was singed by the house on fire.

Fire appears to be under control, but pockets of flames can be seen here and there.

The rest of the media have arrived.

Update 12:22 p.m.

Firefighters have successfully extinguished the fire.

Update 12:26 p.m.

The roof collapsed on half the house, encompassing what looks like a carport. The house next door sustained secondary damage. Firefighters have deployed hoses and an air circulator next door.

Update 12:28 p.m.

A call for a second ambulance to the fire just went out.

Update 12:46 p.m.

Another fire station is moving trucks to the Central Fire Station to cover the area while the fire scene is being mopped up. The Red Cross has arrived at the Farr Street house to assist the family. A firefighter is reported to have been injured. We do not have the details yet on how severe the injury is.

Update (Final) 1:21 p.m.

Battalion Chief Royce Owen said that the cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. He reported that the family pet, a dog, died inside the house.

Owen said that it appears that the fire started in the carport area of 1713 North Farr Street. The house of was fully involved and impinging on the neighboring house when firefighters arrived. Owen said he believes the firefighters saved the structure next door by securing it first, before tackling the main fire. The house next door sustained damage to the window moldings and roof, he said.

Three engines, one ladder truck, two ambulances fought the blaze.

Due to the collapse of the roof, access to the structure was impeded. In addition, downed power line across Farr Street was an obstacle for firefighters.

Heavy damage to the front and north side of the house extends significantly into the interior. Over 50 percent of the interior sustained fire damage, Owen said. “There’s a lot more damage that what appears from the front of the house,” Owen said.

Owen said that one firefighter was sent to the hospital by ambulance complaining of chest pains.