Update: 6:30 p.m.
Shelter operations at the San Marcos Activity Center are complete as no displaced residents requested overnight shelter, and the Activity Center will open tomorrow for normal operations at 10 a.m. Fire and emergency personnel are still on scene as the fire continues to smolder.
The BATF National Response Team, a resource available to local agencies dealing with fires of this magnitude, will lead the fire investigation beginning Saturday morning.
A press conference will be scheduled on Monday to provide an update on the fire operations and ongoing investigation. The time is yet to be determined.
The Family Assistance Center will close at 8 p.m. tonight and open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Resources for Texas State University Students
Texas State University has announced several programs and funds available to students who have been affected by the fire. Information has been emailed to all students, faculty and staff and is posted online at http://safety.txstate.edu/emergency-communications.html. Students needing assistance after hours can contact the non-emergency number for University Police at 512.245.2805, and they will be forwarded to a staff member from Student Emergency Services.
Injuries
One person suffered critical injuries in this morning’s apartment fire and was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment. Officials have confirmed that six others suffered non life-threatening injuries with two of these currently receiving treatment in the Seton Medical Center Hays trauma unit, four have been discharged, and five people remain unaccounted for.
Information hotline
An information hotline has been established for residents and people seeking information on their loved ones who were displaced by the fire at Iconic Village Apartments and Vintage Pads Apartments at 512.754.2291. Residents of the Iconic Village and Vintage Pads Apartments who stayed at the properties last night and have not checked in with the City are being asked to call the information hotline as soon as possible.
Shelter, assistance and donations
Limited access to Iconic Village Buildings 100 and 700 will be available to residents beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. A link to an online signup is available on both the City’s Facebook page, Iconic Village’s Facebook page, and at www.sanmarcostx.gov/apartmentfire for residents to sign up for a 30-minute time slot. Sign up will be available to 10 people for each 30-minute time slot. Residents are allowed to sign up for themselves and one other individual to enter their unit and gather essential items.
A family assistance center has been established for people affected by the fire at Westover Baptist Church, 1310 Advance Street. The center closes at 8 p.m. today and will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday
Donations may be made to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team at www.br3t.org, clicking “Donate,” and entering the word “Iconic” in the comments.
The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is accepting pets of residents that have been displaced by the fires for temporary safekeeping.
Fire status
Officials estimate that approximately 200 residents have been affected by the fire.
The fire is contained, but firefighting operations are ongoing. Once they are complete, the City of San Marcos Fire Marshal’s office will conduct the investigation in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF).
The fire started just before 4:30 a.m. at Iconic Village Apartments at 222 Ramsay St., engulfing building 500 and moving to building 300. The fire has also damaged one building at Vintage Pads Apartments, located at 1000 N LBJ Drive.
Six people were transported to area hospitals, one in critical condition.
City officials are advising residents to avoid the area of LBJ, Ramsay and Clark Streets. LBJ is blocked between Younger and Walnut Streets, as are the intersections of E. Bluebonnet and Mandalay; W. Bluebonnet and Walnut; and Clark and Walnut.
Surrounding jurisdictions including Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels, South Hays, Seguin and Canyon Lake assisted in fire operations.