HFD
At 10:20 p.m. Friday, the City of Hays Fire Department, assisted by the Hays Police Department and Ellis County EMS, was dispatched to a building on fire at 1312 West 46th Street. First arriving police officers reported heavy fire conditions. This report prompted the responding fire department officer-in-charge to call for mutual aid from the Ellis County Rural Fire Department and City of Victoria Fire Department.
Firefighters used two attack hose lines and a ladder pipe to bring the fire under control. The house, which was under construction and about 90% complete, suffered extensive damage. No one was present in the building when the fire started and there were no injuries.
Five fire trucks and seventeen firefighters from the Hays Fire Department, two fire trucks and seven firefighters from the Rural Fire Department and five firefighters and one fire truck from the Victoria Fire Department responded. The Ellis County Emergency Manager also responded to assist.
An investigation by members of the Hays Fire Department and Hays Police Department determined that the fire most probably originated in the area of a gas fireplace and quickly spread through wall voids into the attic and basement. The cause of the fire was accidental but was not determined.
Most of the fire crews had left the scene by 2:30 a.m. Because of the extensive damage, the house could not be properly checked for smoldering hidden fires. One fire crew remained at the scene for the rest of the night to watch for a rekindle.