A devastating fire tore through a row of buildings along Fort Worth’s Main Street early Monday morning, leaving extensive damage and prompting an investigation into its cause.
According to Fort Worth police, the blaze was first reported just before 2:30 a.m. in the 700 block of North Main Street, where heavy smoke was seen billowing from multiple structures, reported Fox 4 KDFW. Responding officers entered one of the buildings to ensure no one was inside but were quickly forced out due to the overwhelming smoke.
Firefighters assessed the scene and determined that the structure was too unstable for interior operations, so they chose to fight the flames from outside.
During the emergency response, a man suffering from smoke inhalation was discovered outside the buildings. He was promptly transported to a local hospital, where officials expect him to recover. Fire crews battled the inferno until it was finally brought under control around 4 a.m.
First responders remained on-site for several more hours, monitoring for potential flare-ups and assessing structural integrity. Investigators have yet to determine the fire’s origin.
Officials reported that most of the affected structures were vacant at the time of the fire. Among them was a building that previously served as the office of renowned Chef Tim Love. While authorities confirmed that the office was no longer in use, the blaze still raised concerns about the preservation of historical and cultural sites in the area.
The exact number of buildings damaged by the fire has not been confirmed.
Once conditions are deemed safe, firefighters are expected to conduct a thorough examination, with arson investigators standing by in case foul play is suspected.