TYLER COUNTY – Firefighters and other first responders were busy in the past week across Tyler County with a couple of structure fires that decimated a couple of notable buildings.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Allegiance EMS headquarters, located on Live Oak Street in Woodville, right around 3 p.m.
According to Woodville VFD Chief Alan Gartner, the firefighters who arrived initially encountered heavy fire, and an offensive attack was initiated. The fire was brought under control. Subsequently, Gartner said, the structure was overhauled to ensure the elimination of any remaining hotspots.
All first responders got out safely, and there are no reported injuries from any Allegiance personnel. Gartner wanted to thank Ivanhoe VFD; Shady Grove VFD and the Woodville Police Department for their assistance.
The fire left the building with irreversible damage, according to emergency personnel, with major structural damage and loss of equipment.
According to District Chief John Farthing, most of the roof had collapsed, and added that Woodville firefighters did an “amazing job” once they were on the scene.
The firefighters on the scene had to clear everyone out of a neighboring laundromat due to concerns with gas lines that were close to the Allegiance fire, but they were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread and hit the gas lines.
At present, Allegiance EMS crews and units are temporarily staged at Tyler County Hospital as Allegiance searches for a new facility, and reportedly, there have been no interruptions to service.
The second big fire of note came on Sunday morning, at about 1:19 a.m., according to Tyler County Emergency Management.
First responders arrived to a call concerning a structure fire at the old Warren Junior High School building, located on County Road 1515. The volunteer fire departments of Warren; Fred; Ivanhoe; Spurger and Woodville all responded to the call, and Allegiance EMS was on standby.
According to Tyler County Emergency Management Coordinator Justin Dilbeck, the crews fought the blaze at the old building, and while that old structure is a total loss, they were able to save the Warren Little Dribblers gymnasium.
