SAN ANGELO, TX — Just before 5 p.m. Thursday, a unit in the Harvard House Condominiums in the 2400 block of University Ave. went up in smoke. Witnesses at the scene said they saw flames punching out of the windows before firefighters arrived. Some residents attempted to extinguish the flames with buckets of water as others were dialing 9-1-1.
Firefighters arrived in minutes of the alarm. The fire appeared to be extinguished within five minutes of the San Angelo Fire Department’s arrival.
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A witness at the scene said the condo was not occupied at the time of the fire. SAFD was verifying that now that the flames are extinguished. Firefighters were seen checking the structure inside and out for hot spots.
SAFD Battalion Chief Captain Harrison said it was a ground floor apartment fire. SAFD’s Engine 5 arrived first, he said. Firefighters also saw flames coming out of the windows.
“They performed a fast attack, did a quick job, and put it out pretty quick,” he said.
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Above: Condo Goes Up in Smoke in San Angelo on May 9, 2019. (LIVE! Photo/John Basquez)
No one was injured and the fire department confirmed the residence was not occupied. The owner has been notified, Harrison said.
The only damage is in the one apartment. The neighboring and attached units were not damaged, Harrison said.
!["Fear" - Oil painting by Avery Nunez](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_compact_extra_large/public/2024-11/fear-oilpaintingbyaverynunez.jpg?h=bec4f437&itok=E8KC02KU ""Fear" - Oil painting by Avery Nunez")
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I'd have loved to watch and learn how a fire punches out windows............ I'd do it with my fists but I'm having real trouble trying understand just how a fire punches out windows.............. ? ? ?
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PermalinkThere was an occupant inside the condo...an elderly lady who was stuck indoors in a wheelchair. The next door neighbor and her mother risked their lives to help get her out and attempted to put out the fire themselves. I believe the woman is the owner's elderly mother.
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PermalinkDoes this condo building not have sprinklers? This is further proof that ALL multi-residences need to be sprinklered, PERIOD. Everyone got lucky this time, but this town has had plenty of old buildings burn to the ground in a matter of minutes due to the lack of sprinklers.
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