Massive fire destroys buildings in Downtown Marlin

MARLIN, Texas — Firefighters from Central Texas were tackling a large fire that broke out near downtown Marlin Friday evening.

KXXV 25 News

Crews were on the active scene at 129 Commerce Street extinguishing the flames. The alert was called in around 5 p.m. and officials said the final stages of putting the blaze out were underway around 7:45 p.m.

No injuries were reported as a result of the massive fire. The Marlin Fire Department is still working on identifying the cause.

The fire reportedly began at a local tools and appliance store and then moved to the building next to it. Eventually, it moved to the Ace Hardware store down the street.

Much of the the building in which the fire started has already been demolished to prevent further collapse.

"These buildings are known for early collapse under fire conditions. So the safety of bystanders, fire personnel and any other people operating in this area was the prime concern," said Justin Parker, fire services manager for the city of Marlin.

Limestone, Falls, and McLennan County emergency vehicles were among the multiple surrounding Central Texas fire departments that assisted with the blaze.

"I want a hats off to my fire chief, my police department and sheriff's department, because they got all our apparatuses in safely. So it was a county and a surrounding county effort," said Marlin city manager Cedric Davis.