GALVESTON, Texas – A massive fire that tore through a seafood distribution facility reignited Thursday, forcing crews to continue battling hot spots at Texas Gulf Seafood along Galveston’s waterfront.
The blaze originally broke out along Galveston’s waterfront Wednesday night, just before 8:45 p.m.
Galveston Fire Department officials confirmed that three workers and a dog inside the building Wednesday night made it out alive. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for dehydration but was reported to be okay.
Galveston Fire Chief Mike Varela said the sheer size of the fire required an immediate, large-scale response.
“You’re looking at probably one square block of fire. So we immediately called for all of our crews in the city, as well as a lot of our partnering crews in the county,” Varela said.
To combat the flames, Chief Varela said crews set up drafting areas — where firefighters pump water directly from a natural water source — pulling from the bay rather than relying on fire hydrants.
Varela also emphasized the importance of keeping his personnel safe during the grueling effort.
“As I made my way around the scene, the one thing I wanted to express to every individual on the scene was to make sure to rehab, take care of yourself, know your limits. We have plenty of personnel now to relieve you and for you to sit and rest and relax,” Varela said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also on scene Thursday. Their specific role has not been confirmed.
‘My life is in here’
For Crystal Truong, who has managed Texas Gulf Seafood for nearly 30 years, the facility is far more than a warehouse that distributes shrimp across the country.
“My life is in here. I hardly go home,” Truong said.
Truong, who oversees a staff of 10 employees, expressed heartbreak over the loss.
“I’m very depressed and I’m very sad of everything. We work, and we lost everything,” she said.
Neighboring businesses feel the impact
Nearby businesses are also feeling the weight of the fire. Nicholas Gutierrez, manager of Katie’s Seafood Market, which purchases shrimp from Texas Gulf Seafood from time to time, expressed sympathy for Truong and her staff.
“But it is gonna affect jobs. Those people that work there are loading the shrimp. They don’t have a job today,” Gutierrez said.
Investigation pending
Once crews fully extinguish all hot spots, the fire marshal will be able to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire. Varela said officials may request state assistance, given the magnitude of the event.