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    PHOTO BY DENISE CATHEY Firefighters from the San Marcos Fire Department spray water from the department’s bucket truck.
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    PHOTO BY DENISE CATHEY With their platform lowered to ground level, San Marcos firefighters wait to continue spraying down the building. //actionnetwork at State

At least five dead in San Marcos fire

Apartment burns leaving hundreds displaced, some of which have local ties

So far, officials have determined that five people died in the apartment complex fire on Friday in San Marcos with an undetermined amount still missing. Initially, officials said at least five people were unaccounted for but Mike Weddel, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent in charge for the investigation, said, “We are concerned there may be more. We don’t know how many yet.”

The bodies of the deceased have not yet been identified.

“Search operations will continue until we know all potential victims have been recovered,” Weddel said.

It is currently estimated that over 200 people were displaced by the fire that consumed buildings at the Iconic Village apartment complex near North LBJ Drive in San Marcos. At least six people were injured while fleeing the scene including the grandson of Woodcreek City Councilmember Jerry Moore.

Moore said that his grandson woke up to the sound of broken glass in his second floor apartment and could not exit through the front door due to the fire. He jumped from the second story, landed on a concrete sidewalk and broke his ankle and wrist.

Officials have said the apartment complex did not, and was not required to due to age, have a sprinkler system. They are investigating claims from tenants that the smoke alarms did not activate.

Speaking at the press conference Monday, San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides said the community is “deeply saddened and shaken” by the fire, which broke out just before 4:30 a.m. Friday

“As a community, our hearts are broken,” Thomaides said. “We’ve lost so much.”

The mayor asked the community to pray for the friends, families, classmates and teachers of the victims of the fire. He also said that some of the families will need assistance in making final arrangements for their loved ones and asked anyone in the community who can help to contact SMFD Chief Les Stephens.

Rachel Ingle, the city’s emergency operations chief, said the Red Cross, Austin Disaster Relief Network, Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T) and the Texas State University’s office for student emergency services will be set up at the resource center. The Department of Public Safety will also be on hand with its mobile drivers license replacement unit, and numerous city departments, including the animal shelter, will be on hand to assist residents.

Texas State University Provost Gene Bourgeois shared information about services the university is offering to students affected by the fire. Students in need of emergency funds or emergency services can contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance. The university is also offering housing referrals and counseling services.

City Manager Bert Lumbreras expressed pride in the city’s response to the tragedy -- from the first responders and city staff to neighbors in the affected apartment buildings and local businesses, organizations and individuals who have reached out to help. He named Central Texas Medical Center, Westover Baptist Church, the Lions Club, the County Emergency Response Team, Austin Disaster Relief Network and local restaurants and other businesses as partners in recovery.

“It tests us,” he said of the tragedy, “but at the same time it shows us who we really are.”

Making Donations

• Monetary donations via Texas State can be made at http://c-fund.us/gv2, and donations through United Campus Ministry’s Emergency Need Fund are accepted at http://give.UCMtxstate.org. The ministry is also taking food donations.

• The Blanco River Regional Recovery Team is coordinating financial donations. Visit www.br3t.org, click “Donate,” and enter the word “Iconic” in the comments.

• Numerous GoFund-Me campaigns have been started for individuals affected by the fire. Go to Go-FundMe’s website at www.gofundme.com and search for “San Marcos Apartment Fire” or visit https://bit.ly/2JMluvj.

• The San Marcos Salvation Army is taking monetary and item donations at their office, 300 S CM Allen Pkwy #100. Monetary donations can also be made online at www.salvationarmytexas.org

• The Porch, 129 E. Hopkins St., has a donation box set up for anyone who would like to donate clothes, bedding, toiletries, etc.

• SCOPE at Texas State is collecting monetary donations for fire victims online at https: . org/fundraising/emergency-fund-for-victims-oficonic-village-fire.

• The Austin Disaster Network, that has a network of more than 175 area churches, is collecting funds to distribute gift cards, emergency housing and emergency transportation to the victims of the fire. The group said it is working closely with the county, Red Cross and BR3T. More information is available at www.adrn.org/give and donations can be made to the general disaster relief fund.

Fundraising Events:

• Blue Dahlia Bistro, 107 E. Hopkins St., will be hosting a benefit with live music and a silent auction on Wednesday, July 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team.

• Dahlia Woods Gallery, 232 N. LBJ Dr., will be hosting a benefit on Friday, July 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.

• SCOPE Texas

will be hosting a benefit at United Campus Ministry, 510 N. Guadalupe St., on Aug. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. For entry, bring a cash and/or an item that falls into one of these categories: Kitchen supplies, gift cards, new undergarments, toiletries, menstrual hygiene products, pet food & supplies, school supplies and nonperishable food items.

• The SMTX Social Group is hosting an open mic fundraiser on July 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Gil’s Broiler, 328 N. LBJ Dr. There will be a raffle with donations from local businesses and Gil’s Broiler is providing $1 longnecks.

• The band Wezmer will be hosting a fundraising event Aug. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Porch, , 129 E. Hopkins St. Item or monetary donations can be made there.

Wimberley View

P.O. Box 49
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2202
Fax: 512-847-9054