Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire last Friday at the Hulen Mall located at 4800 South Hulen Street, Southwest Fort Worth. Upon their approach, smoke was already visible, indicating the severity of the situation. It was reported by the Fort Worth Fire Department that firefighters arrived promptly, with the incident beginning just after 7:15 pm. The team found smoke pouring from the structure as people evacuated the large building.
Early panic was fueled by initial 911 calls that reported explosions and a roof collapse at the mall. However, upon arrival, crews discovered heavy smoke conditions, particularly concentrated on the second level. While there were no explosions or roof collapse, the sound of skylights breaking and hitting the floor might have given that impression. Firefighters swiftly unrolled hoses and deployed multiple ladders to access and tackle the blaze. A quick escalation of the situation prompted a second and third alarm to be called by the Incident Commander, wary of the structure’s extensive layout and the potential for numerous individuals being trapped inside.
The situation improved significantly following a "quick attack" by the firefighting team. The urgency dialed back sufficiently for the third alarm to be canceled before additional responding units arrived on the scene. Within about 45 minutes, the fire was under control, resulting in one person needing hospital treatment. Details provided by the department highlighted that earlier in the day, there had been repair work conducted on the mall’s roof.
Post-extinguishment, crews stayed on site, expelling smoke from the building and ensuring the fire was out. A remarkable asset, mentioned in the department's statement, was a large fan mounted on one of the trucks, which is utilized expressly for ventilating sizable structures like the Hulen Mall. As indicated in the social media update by the fire department, the official cause of the fire is still under investigation. The department urged the inhabitants to "stay safe" and underscored that there were no explosions and there was no roof collapse, correcting initial reports regarding the incident.
