KILLEEN, Texas (April 8, 2023) – The City of Killeen Fire Department have put out a structure fire on the Central Texas Expressway that broke out about 12:30a.m. on Apr. 8. No firefighters or citizens were injured.
The fire was called in by a passing motorist and a general alarm assignment was immediately dispatched by the Bell County Communications Center, which brought three engines, one tower ladder, one heavy rescue, one ALS ambulance, two Battalion Chiefs, and two EMS Supervisors to the scene.
Based on information received while responding, the incident commander upgraded the alarm which added one tower ladder, one engine, and one heavy rescue to the incident. A total of 28 personnel responded to the scene.
The first unit arrived on scene within six minutes of the initial dispatch and reported heavy fire coming from the front entrance of a commercial restaurant space that was under renovation. An aggressive interior fire attack was initiated, resulting in the fire being brought under control within 20 minutes of arrival on the scene.
A search of the building was initiated and firefighters found no occupants inside. The fire was contained to the original unit, with some fire damage occurring to an adjacent business in the strip mall. All other businesses sustained only minor to moderate smoke damage.
Firefighters remained on scene past 5a.m., working to extinguish small hidden areas that were still smoldering.
The Killeen Fire Marshal’s office was on the scene investigating the incident and the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Two business units have been deemed uninhabitable by the Killeen Building Inspector that responded to the scene. All other businesses in the strip center will be able to remain open for business.
The Killeen Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Harker Heights Fire Department, Killeen Police Department, and Killeen Building Department.
