FORT WORTH, Texas - A large commercial fire tore through an automotive service and repair building in southeast Fort Worth Saturday night, forcing firefighters to evacuate as the structure partially collapsed and threatening nearby businesses and homes.
According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, crews were dispatched just after 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 to the 2900 block of Vaughn Boulevard after multiple callers reported heavy smoke and a large fire visible from several blocks away.
Firefighters arrived to find a commercial structure fully involved, with flames spreading toward surrounding buildings and residences. Crews immediately began fire suppression efforts and searched for anyone who might be inside while the incident commander requested a second alarm to bring in additional resources. Firefighters worked in below-freezing temperatures as they attempted to both extinguish the blaze and protect nearby exposures.
Officials said the building housed multiple flammable materials that fueled the fire’s rapid growth. About 10 minutes into the operation, crews were ordered to evacuate the structure when the main portion of the 75-year-old building began to sag and ultimately collapsed. All firefighters exited safely, and operations shifted from an interior attack to a defensive strategy.
Fire crews deployed ladder pipes, deck guns, and multiple hand lines around the building to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. Several neighboring buildings and multiple vehicles were damaged during the incident. Smoke from the fire was visible across much of Fort Worth as it rose into the night sky.
Firefighters actively battled the blaze for more than two hours and remained on scene for approximately 15 hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and the area was safe.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
