Fire Marshal: Great Dane's Heat Lamp Started Fire that Destroyed Two Residences

San Angelo Fire Marshal Ross Coleman released the results from his initial investigation of the two-structure fire on Lindell Ave. Thursday afternoon.

He said there was a heat lamp providing comfort to the Great Dane dog living in a dog house positioned near the back of the residential structure at 1425 Lindell. Heat from the lamp set the dog house on fire. The fire spread to propane tanks stored near a grill positioned on a wood deck attached to the back of the house. The fire then engulfed 1425 Lindell. The flames jumped to the house next door very quickly, Coleman said. "It was almost simultaneously," he said, mentioning the very strong winds Thursday afternoon. 

Technically the fire at 1429 Lindell Ave., the neighbor, is categorized as an "exposure" in firefighter lingo, but Coleman said that both houses experienced similar damage. "When firefighters arrived, they described a wall of flames between both houses," Coleman said. 

The Great Dane survived with no major injuries, according to Coleman.

Coleman said that officially, the fire is ruled to be an accident.

Here are earlier reports as the fire happened, starting at 1:45 p.m., Jan. 21:

At approximately 1:45 p.m., San Angelo firefighters rushed out to the area of Lindell and Lindell Court due to a multiple structure fire. This fire is one block away from Alta Loma Elementary, said the San Angelo Police Department.

At this time, San Angelo LIVE! is out at the scene, and we will provide you with updates as they are received.

Update 2:28 p.m.

Two houses in the 1400 block of Lindell were affected by the fire; however, firefighters have gotten the flames under control. 

Battalion Chief Royce Owen said at approximately 1:15 p.m. an initial report came in of a two-structure fire. When San Angelo firefighters arrived on scene, they confirmed the report. There were two houses on fire, 1425 and 1429 Lindell Ave, and the fire started at 1425 Lindell.

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“They reported that 1425 and 1429 (Lindell) were heavily involved with fire,” Own said. “I was enroute at that time. I called for a second alarm.”

Owen added that Engine 5 was the first engine to arrive on scene, and firefighters were able to knock down the fire in the exposure of 1429 before they made the attack on 1425 where the blaze began. Once they hit 1429, they entered into an unburned area of 1425 and were able to push the fire out.

“They made a really good stop of both structures. I’m really proud of them,” Own said.

Owen stated no one was at home during the time of the fire, but the homeowners have been notified. Owen also said there was a Great Dane dog at the 1425 location. Firefighters were worried about that, but the dog was very friendly so they were able to keep him away from the danger area.

Currently, Owen said firefighters are unsure of the exact area where the fire started, but Fire Marshal Ross Coleman is investigating the incident. He did say though that the wind played a major role in the fire spreading.

“As extensive as the fire damage is, [Coleman] is probably going to be working on this for a while,” Owen said.

Overall, 1425 Lindell has about 75 percent fire damage, and 1429 has approximately 30 to 40 percent, Owen estimated.

Insurance agents were also at the scene helping to estimate the damage.

More information on this fire will be released once it becomes available.

Update 6:10 p.m.

San Angelo Fire Marshal Ross Coleman released the results from his initial investigation of the two-structure fire on Lindell Ave. Thursday afternoon.

He said there was a heat lamp providing comfort to the Great Dane dog living in a dog house positioned near the back of the residential structure at 1425 Lindell. Heat from the lamp set the dog house on fire. The fire spread to propane tanks stored near a grill positioned on a wood deck attached to the back of the house. The fire then engulfed 1425 Lindell. The flames jumped to the house next door very quickly, Coleman said. "It was almost simultaneously," he said, mentioning the very strong winds Thursday afternoon. 

Technically the fire at 1429 Lindell Ave., the neighbor, is categorized as an "exposure" in firefighter lingo, but Coleman said that both houses experienced similar damage. "When firefighters arrived, they described a wall of flames between both houses," Coleman said. 

The Great Dane survived with no major injuries, according to Coleman.