Fire destroys vacant building in Fort Worth, Texas

Several fire departments battled a wind-driven blaze at a vacant Fort Worth building Sunday morning.

Just before 5 a.m., with crews already tending to a fire in the center of town, 9-1-1 callers reported a fire at an apartment building in the 7600 block of L Jacksboro Highway. The building was most recently used as a bingo hall, but also served as a western store, roller skating rink, and bar.

Sansom Park firefighters arrived to find a massive fire engulfing the one- or two-story wood-frame building. The fire had already consumed the roof of the structure, the department reported.

Attack lines and a deck gun were used as crews arrived and Quint 12 was positioned for use of an elevated main stream.

With strong winds fanning the flames and a limited water supply in the area, a second alarm was sounded. In addition to the Fort Worth and Sansom Park fire departments, crews from Lake Worth, River Oaks and Saginaw were called to the scene.

“Crews encountered challenging conditions, including high winds, water pressure issues and the building's exterior wood construction,” the department said.

The Quint 13, powered by a river shuttle, was set up to protect an exhibition including a warehouse and recycling yard.

The fire was brought under control in just over an hour, but crews remained on scene for nearly six hours.

The investigation is looking into the causes of the fire.