by | Published
DEVINE, Texas - Firefighters from multiple agencies battled a rapidly spreading apartment fire Tuesday morning in Devine that forced crews into a defensive operation as flames consumed the building.
According to Medina County Fire/EMS, crews were dispatched at 9:56 a.m. on Aug. 11 to an apartment fire at 212 Hayden Avenue after a caller reported the blaze was quickly spreading throughout the structure.
Engine 8120, a medic unit, and Battalion 20 arrived at 10:02 a.m. and found heavy fire coming from the second floor of the apartment building.
Additional resources and mutual aid were requested, with firefighters responding from:
Natalia Volunteer Fire Department Station 50
Medina County Fire/EMS Stations 10, 11, and 60
At approximately 10:06 a.m., Engine 20 reported that crews had water on the fire.
Despite firefighters' efforts, the blaze continued to spread rapidly through the aging structure.
At approximately 10:10 a.m., with a second engine still more than 10 minutes away, incident commanders ordered all firefighters out of the building and transitioned operations to a defensive strategy.
Crews continued fighting the fire from outside the structure to contain the blaze and protect nearby properties.
One firefighter was treated for a heat-related illness during the response.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire has not been released.
