A massive fire tore through a vacant building on Fort Worth’s east side early Wednesday, drawing more than 80 firefighters and prompting a second alarm as flames engulfed the former S.S. Dillow Elementary School, according to the Fort Worth Fire Department.
Firefighters responded shortly after midnight to the large, two-story vacant building in the 4000 block of Avenue N.
Crews found flames on the first floor and heavy smoke billowing from the tiled roof. Firefighters began an interior attack and searched for occupants, but the fire quickly spread up the walls and through the roof, officials said.
Second alarm escalates response
A second alarm was called due to the size and intensity of the fire. At one point, the incident commander ordered an evacuation of the building and shifted to a defensive strategy.
Trucks, aerial ladders deployed
Eighteen trucks, including three aerial ladders, and multiple support vehicles were dispatched to the scene, in addition to the more than 80 firefighters, officials said…