Acetylene torch sparks fire atop Rivercenter parking garage

SAN ANTONIO – A two-alarm fire was reported Monday afternoon on top of the Rivercenter parking garage in downtown San Antonio.

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said the fire was reported around 1 p.m. when a 24-ton cooling tower unit caught fire.

Hood said crews were working to demolish and remove the unit. He said sparks from an acetylene torch ignited some nearby dry timber.

Flames and thick clouds of black smoke could be seen from areas surrounding downtown as crews battled the fire.

Hood said high winds complicated the fight. He said firefighters dumped thousands of gallons of water on the flames.

One of the employees working to demolish the cooling tower suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to University Hospital for treatment.

Hood said people with cars parked in the garage are being kept out of the structure while firefighters finish the job.

No damage estimate has been released.