The Denton Fire Department responded to the fire shortly after 9 a.m. at a new Health Science Center under construction in the 700 block of Administration Drive.
DENTON, Texas — Crews responded to a three-alarm fire on the Texas Woman’s University campus in Denton Thursday morning.
The Denton Fire Department responded to the fire shortly after 9 a.m. at the new Health Science Center under construction in the 700 block of Administration Drive, officials said. The building was supposed to welcome students this fall.
Officials said all construction crews got out of the building, but one was treated on scene for smoke inhalation and released. More than a dozen firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion during the response, according to Amy Cunningham, a Denton Police spokesperson. The roof reached temperatures of 150 degrees, according to Denton Fire. Additionally, two firefighters were transported to the hospital but are expected to be OK.
The building sustained damage to its roof, though the extent of interior damage remains unknown. Matt Flores, a TWU spokesman, said the university is awaiting assessment results to determine the full scope of repairs needed.
“Depending on the extent of the damage will help inform how long it’s going to take to proceed,” Flores said.
The incident has put the project on hold after two years of construction work. The building cannot be accessed until investigators release it back to the university.
Despite the setback, Flores expressed optimism about not straying too far from the original timeline.
“It’s not beyond the realm of possibilities that this building will be ready right around the time that the beginning of school starts,” he said, adding that the university remains committed to completing the project even if it requires additional time and funding.
The Health Sciences Center was intended to serve as the crown jewel of the campus, representing a major investment in facilities for incoming students and the community.