The Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) battled a "historic" six-alarm blaze at a six-story apartment building on West Rosedale Street for over 8.5 hours on Monday, displacing 834 residents.
Crews responded just after 1:30 PM on Monday afternoon to reports of an apartment fire, arriving to find heavy smoke pouring from the roof. The Incident Commander quickly escalated the call, eventually reaching a sixth alarm as the fire proved incredibly difficult to control. Mutual aid departments from Lake Worth and River Oaks, along with Arlington Fire backfilling stations, assisted in the massive effort.
Reports of residents trapped by heavy smoke and fire necessitated additional manpower. Firefighters faced challenging conditions compounded by the intense Texas summer heat, requiring additional rehab to prevent dehydration. Crews attacked the fire from aerial hoses and on the roof, while others were inside evacuating residents. Firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building after a partial roof collapse.
In total, 64 fire apparatuses and vehicles were on scene, with close to 170 fire personnel. The blaze was finally brought under control at 10:19 PM.
One civilian rescued from their apartment was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Six others, including firefighters and civilians, were treated for heat exhaustion on scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Displaced Residents and Pet Reunification
All 834 residents of the Cooper Apartments have been displaced by the fire. The extent of damage to individual units from fire, smoke, or water is currently unknown. The scene remains active, and firefighters are awaiting structural engineers to inspect the building's integrity before allowing re-entry. Information on when residents will be permitted back into their homes will be released when available and deemed safe.
Most pet owners have been reunited with their animals. However, residents still searching for their pets are advised to visit the Chuck Silcox Animal Care & Control Center at 4900 Martin Street. They should identify themselves as residents of the Cooper Apartment building, and no fees will be charged for pet reunification.
The FWFD extended its gratitude to all who provided water, food, assistance, and prayers, especially thanking the "Red Helmets" for their support on scene.
If you require immediate financial assistance, please contact the American Red Cross Greater North Texas at 1-800-RedCross.
