An aging and abandoned building in San Antonio, which has stood for nearly a century, caught fire for the third time in three months. The San Antonio Fire Department responded yesterday afternoon after reports of a blaze at the 1931 house located at the corner of Seguin Avenue and Tilden Street.
According to KSAT, when crews arrived, they found flames burning at both the front and back of the house.
Matt Hartl, the fire department captain, shared with FOX San Antonio that defensive measures were quickly employed to halt the fire's spread to nearby buildings.
Firefighters successfully contained the blaze, which produced thick black smoke visible from a distance. Although the building suffered heavy damage, the crews ensured that no nearby structures were harmed, and the neighboring homes remained untouched by the chaos.
The repeated fires at this location have raised suspicions with the SAFD, with this last incident adding to the property's troubled history, including previous fires on July 21 and September 26. "Chief Hartl told reporters that buildings as old as this one, having been built in 1931, allow firefighters more time to put out the fire, as the higher quality materials slow the spread of the flames," as reported by FOX San Antonio. Despite no injuries, the hazards posed by the fires in such a dilapidated structure are of great concern.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and officials have not ruled out foul play. Authorities have also noted a consistent presence of homeless individuals around the building, which could contribute to the ongoing danger it poses.
