Fort Worth, TX – Just before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26th, the Fort Worth Fire Department received an automatic alarm from a residence on Stolte Lane in the southwest part of the city. What began as a single-unit response quickly escalated into a large-scale firefighting operation.
When the first engine arrived on scene, firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from the rear of a two-story home. The call was immediately upgraded to a residential structure fire, bringing in three additional engines, two trucks, and two chief officers to complete a first-alarm assignment.
As crews entered the home to conduct an attack and search, they encountered multiple propane tanks near the back of the house that had already begun off-gassing from the extreme heat. Firefighters quickly pulled lines both for fire suppression and to keep the propane tanks cooled to prevent explosions.
Despite their efforts, the blaze spread into the attic and threatened nearby homes. Shortly thereafter, the Incident Commander struck a second alarm, bringing even more resources to the scene. For 30 minutes, firefighters executed an aggressive interior attack before structural stability concerns forced the Incident Commander to transition to a defensive strategy.
Nearly 60 firefighters worked for close to an hour before bringing the fire under control. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Four adults were displaced by the fire, and the cause remains under investigation.
The Fort Worth Fire Department expressed gratitude to the neighbors on Stolte Lane, who showed remarkable kindness and hospitality to both the displaced family and the first responders working tirelessly at the scene.
