Fire Destroys Vacant Former Elementary School in East Fort Worth

A large fire broke out at the vacant S.S. Dillow Elementary School in east Fort Worth shortly after midnight, requiring the response of over 80 firefighters and 18 trucks, including three aerial ladder trucks. Fire crews initially attacked the fire from inside while ensuring the building was empty, but the fire spread rapidly up the walls and through the roof, leading the incident commander to call a second alarm and switch to a defensive strategy. The fire was fought for more than two and a half hours before being brought under control, with no injuries reported. Dillow Elementary was closed earlier this year due to the building's deteriorating condition from a water leak, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The extensive firefighting effort highlights the challenges posed by fires in large, vacant structures. Authorities continue to investigate to determine the origin of the blaze.