A bolt of lightning on Thursday afternoon turned a busy Brady hotel into a charred shell just days before Memorial Day and graduation weekend, about the worst kind of long weekend surprise the town could get. The fast-moving blaze gutted the three-story Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Brady and left the building a total loss. Staff and guests evacuated quickly, and officials say there were no reported civilian injuries. Now, city leaders and hotel staff are scrambling to sort out damage, lodging options, and what comes next.
As reported by FOX 7 Austin, City Manager James Stewart told the Brady Standard that lightning struck the north side of the hotel's roof near South Bridge Street at about 3:45 p.m. The fire sparked in the attic, then chewed its way into the third floor. FOX 7 Austin reports that 19 guests were registered at the hotel that day, but only five were inside when the blaze erupted, and everyone got out safely. According to FOX 7 Austin, the Texas State Fire Marshal has since ruled the structure a total loss.
Mutual Aid Stretched Local Crews Thin
San Angelo LIVE! reports that Brady Fire/EMS and volunteer departments were first on scene, and mutual aid responders from Rochelle, Brownwood, which sent a ladder truck, and neighboring counties were called in as flames punched through the roof. That account says crews fought the fire for nearly three hours and stayed into the night to watch for hot spots. San Angelo LIVE! also reported that one firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, while other reports point out that there were no civilian injuries.
Officials Warn Of Equipment Gaps
City Manager Stewart told FOX 7 Austin that crews had to pull back once the fire spread rapidly and that a new ladder truck, the kind that could make a crucial difference in a three-story fire, would cost around 2 million dollars. General manager Penny Adams, who has worked at the property for nearly 13 years, told FOX 7 Austin, "We're watching our whole world burn down" as staff and neighbors watched the hotel go up in flames. Local leaders said the fire laid bare the limits of rural firefighting capacity and has already sparked talk of donations and equipment drives.
Hotel Details And Next Steps
The hotel's operator lists the property at 2320 South Bridge Street in Brady, and on its website, IHG shows the property had 69 rooms across three floors. With the state fire marshal's total-loss ruling in place, the building will be secured while insurers and investigators sort through structural damage and explore recovery options. City officials and the hotel operator have not announced a timetable for cleanup or any potential rebuilding.
The National Weather Service in San Angelo warns that additional scattered thunderstorms and the potential for strong storms are in the weekend forecast for the region, which could complicate cleanup at the site. According to the NWS, residents should keep an eye on local warnings and use caution during any outdoor work or travel. Anyone looking to help those affected is urged to follow official city and county channels for information on donations and volunteer opportunities.
