SAN MARCOS FIRE DEPARTMENT
A San Marcos Fire Department Firefighter and a United States Marine Michael Mullinix lost his New Braunfels home to a fire on June 12.
“A lightning strike … started a fire that destroyed his home, leaving him and his family without many of their belongings and their home,” stated San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens. “While we’re grateful everyone is safe, they are now facing the overwhelming task of starting over. He has spent his life protecting our community and serving our country — now it’s our turn to step up and support him.”
Stephens also wanted to acknowledge the firefighters, both on and off-duty, who assisted the Mullinix family during the fire.
“We had plenty of help and were able to salvage a lot of their personal belongings,” Stephens said. “New Braunfels also stepped up in a huge way. Before they had even cleared the scene, Chief Ruy Lazano, BC Ethan Lindner, the NB Firefighters Association, and later in the afternoon, the NB CM Robert Camareno, had all made donations to assist Michael and his family.”
The city of New Braunfels could speak to the fire itself but not the employment of those that lived within the household. The fire was caused by a lightning strike, and no injuries were reported. Damage estimates are still pending.
“On June 12, 2025, at approximately 3:55 a.m., the city of New Braunfels Fire Department was called to a home in [the] 2500 block of Duval Drive. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames visible inside the residence. The occupants — an adult male, an adult female and a child — had already evacuated from the home and were not injured. Firefighters initiated an interior attack, successfully bringing the fire under control at approximately 5:07 a.m.”
The city of New Braunfels stated that the San Marcos Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance with salvage and overhaul operations.
Donations can be given at gofund.me/8994da97 and via venmo @amullini13. There is a 3% charge on GoFundMe, and Venmo does not charge a fee.
