Authorities say a “final hypothesis” has not yet been established in the aftermath of the Dec. 7 fire.
SAN ANTONIO — Authorities in Universal City say they have not yet determined the cause of a fire that tore through an apartment complex the evening of Dec. 7, destroying 11 units and forcing families to find temporary housing elsewhere during the holiday season.
According to a press release from officials in the San Antonio-area city, no evidence has been found indicating the fire was an act of arson. The fast-moving flames affected 64 units in all.
“No final hypothesis has been established regarding the cause of the fire,” Fire Marshal Justin Garcia is quoted as saying in the release. “This case will remain open pending the discovery of additional evidence or the receipt of new information that may allow for the development of a final hypothesis.”
No one died or was hurt in the fire, which Fire Chief Todd Perna had called a “miracle.” By the next morning, investigators had flocked to the scene to examine the charred building. Roofs were eaten away and numerous units were damaged by smoke, water or both.
Dozens of families had to be rehoused into either other units at the property or elsewhere in the county.
Meanwhile, according to Universal City’s press release, the city expects that the complex – one of the oldest in the community – will be rebuilt. The property owner says that process could take up to nine months.
“Once they (structural engineers and inspectors) make their final recommendations, we will work together to get plans approved for the rebuild,” the property owner said in the release.
‘They didn’t know what to do’
Roland Decker said he was home at the time and was alerted to the danger by a neighbor.
“My best friend came running in my front door and he alerted me and told me not to let my kids outside because he said everything was smoking,” Decker said, adding that when he went out to see what was going on, he was confronted by heavy smoke pouring from the back of the complex.
“We went around to the front and tried to help people get their stuff downstairs to save them from losing everything,” Decker said.
Decker, who said he was trying to keep his three young sons safe, called it traumatizing.
“They were crying and screaming, and they didn’t know what to do,” he said. “I’ve never gone through anything like that, and I truly hope not to go through anything like that ever again.”