VIDOR —
Investigators are still seeking answers Monday following the largest structural fire in Vidor in recent memory.
Chief Bryant Champagne of Orange County Emergency Services District 1 said investigators are still looking into the cause of the structure fire which occurred Friday, Feb. 22, in the old Tower Medical Center building, located in the 500 block of North Main Street in Vidor.
The fire was so large and so intense that Main Street was completely shut down to traffic from the eastbound feeder road at Main Street and Interstate 10 to East and West Courtland as traffic was re-routed around the area.
“This was one of the largest municipal fires I have ever dealt with,” Champagne said on Monday. “It was very intense heat. The structure had a flat roof, metal beams for support and cinder block walls. The heat made it like a kiln.”
The fire was reported prior to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 and was extinguished at approximately 11:30 p.m., Friday. The last unit cleared the scene shortly after 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23.
Champagne said approximately 50 emergency responders from Orange County ESD 1 and other neighboring fire departments answered the call for assistance. Assisting agencies included Bridge City Fire and Rescue, Little Cypress Volunteer Fire Department, the Deweyville Volunteer Fire Department and the recently created Orange County ESD 4 which is a merger of the McLewis and Mauriceville Volunteer Fire Departments.
“It was a tremendous unified effort from all of the agencies involved,” Champagne explained. “That support and effort helped to prevent this fire from spreading to any of the nearby structures. There was no additional damage, and, most importantly, no injuries.”
Champagne and other personnel spent most of Saturday at the scene of the fire searching for clues into its cause and point of origin. Champagne said state investigators are expected to arrive on Tuesday to continue the investigation.
The Tower Medical Center location is located at 535 N. Main St. in Vidor. According to Jimmy Smith of Flair Real Estate, the property occupies approximately 13,000 square feet and has been for sale approximately one year.
According to reports from the Vidor Police Department, officers responded to two calls of a burglary at this location within one hour on Friday, Feb. 15, one week prior to the fire.
The first report at 7:16 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, indicated two vehicles were in the parking lot, but all doors appeared to be locked and there was no indication of anyone inside.
The second report, at 8:08 p.m. the same night, officers located four people - three males and one female - inside the building after finding a door open. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist and Smith was called to look at reported damage to the building but was unable to attend due to a death in the family.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Only charred rubble and debris remains of the Tower Medical Center building in Vidor, which the was site of a large fire on Friday, Feb. 22. Leader photo by Tommy Mann Jr.
Related Links
Discussion
Investigation continues into Friday night fire
- Local News
-
-
Student of the month...
The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Ashlee Taylor as the Student of the Month.
-
2 Orange County men promoted at BPD
Two men from Orange County with careers in law enforcement have been promoted to new positions.
-
Entergy says be mindful of electrical hazards
In recognition of National Electrical Safety Month throughout May, Entergy is joining with Electrical Safety Foundation International to raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety.
-
At 81, Oklahoma alumnus finally attends graduation
The IBM 650 computer system kept Harold Newland from his University of Oklahoma graduation.
-
Serving our country 5.18.13
Airman 1st Class Andrea K. Rhodes
-
Prose/Poetry team has a banner year
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School UIL Prose/Poetry team has truly had a banner year.
-
OISD seeks assistance with Wall of Honor
The Orangefield Independent School District and its athletic department are wanted to recognize a select group of distinguished Bobcats.
-
Public invited to special needs softball game
A softball game created for a select group of students is generating a lot of excitement in the community.
-
The Most Exciting Lesson You'll Ever Learn
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22.6).
-
Haters
Have you ever had to deal with someone that you really do not care for?
- More Local News Headlines
-
