Nicole Lopez reported on a fire at the historic, but now abandoned grain elevator and silos complex in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Firefighters reported that burning contents inside the building were the cause of the fire and the accompanying black smoke. Fortunately, the fire was successfully contained, and no injuries were reported. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
This incident has brought renewed attention to the building, with residents advocating for its demolition due to safety issues. In response, the Fort Worth Buildings Standard Commission declared the building substandard and hazardous on March 25, ordering the property owner to repair or demolish it within 30 days.
The structure, dating back to 1924, is a relic of Fort Worth's history as the grain capital of the Southwest. However, it has deteriorated significantly over the years, with damaged construction materials, loose and falling sheet metal, broken windows, corroded piping, and deteriorated awnings. The site has also been plagued by issues like illegal dumping, multiple fires, and trespassing.
