From staff reports
San Marcos —
The fire that destroyed an historic feed store along with a pet shop was mostly under control about two hours after the call went out to firefighters.
An "all call" drew all on and off-duty firefighters and Hays County volunteers to the Amkon General Store on S. LBJ Drive around 2 p.m., said city spokes person Melissa Millecam.
The 1920s building also housed the Critter Shop and a pet grooming and sitter service. A sign out front advertised chicks, bunnies and ferrets, though Millecam reported that only fish and reptiles were in the building at the time.
She said the owner of the business and the building were both on scene but neither gave statements to media.
Dozens of people gathered around the scene as thick columns of smoke billowed skyward. The San Marcos Fire Department had about a half dozen pumper trucks on scene, along with its Truck One ladder apparatus.
Millecam said the fire marshal was also on scene. There were no immediate indications of how the fire started, though Millecam said it was believed to have broken out towards the end of the store.
Propane tanks were also inside, though none exploded.
Along with fighting the fire, crews were setting up booms to catch runoff before it reached Purgarory Creek and then the San Marcos River. Along with feed, the store carried some fertilizers and other substances that could be harmful to the environment.
Check back for updates as they become available.
