ATF leaves town, fire probe shifts

The on-scene portion of the investigation into the fatal fire at Iconic Village Apartments has been completed, officials say.

Agents with the National Response Team, a part of the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) were set to turn the scene back to local officials on Tuesday, who were then to turn it back over to the owners of the complex.

Five people were killed, at least seven injured and some 200 displaced by the fire, which broke out in the pre-dawn hours of July 20 and quickly swept through the almost 50-year-old complex and also involved a portion of the Vintage Pads Apartments next door. Many residents jumped from the second story in order to escape the flames, which originated in Building 500.

All five bodies were found in Building 500. Four have been identified; DNA analysis is being conducted on a fifth.

Before leaving town, the ATF team had determined the origin of the fire and collected numerous samples for laboratory testing and analysis. They also conducted more than 100 interviews.

A final classification of the fire isn’t expected for weeks, the city said.

Though some residents have publicly said they did not hear any smoke alarms going off, the city of San Marcos says it was “determined that battery-powered smoke alarms, compliant with Texas Property Code 92.255, were installed within individual apartments ... Inspection reports provided by the Iconic Village management company indicate that inspections of the smoke alarms had recently been completed,” the city said in a press release.

The release went on to say records indicate the last property and fire inspection was on May 6, 2014. Prior to that, a Certificate of Occupancy was issued for Iconic Village on Nov. 24, 2009, when it changed ownership. 

“The city of San Marcos has adopted the 2015 International Fire Code and the 2015 International Property Management Code, including local apartments,” it said. “Fire prevention and protection is detailed in Chapter 38 of the City Code with Building and Building Regulations included in Chapter 14.” Links to those codes can be found at sanmarcostx.gov/apartmentfire.”

At the time of the fire the San Marcos Fire Department sought and received mutual aid from other area fire agencies and when the fire was out, sought the assistance of the ATF. Personnel from that agency arrived later the same day of the fire.

“The city expresses our gratitude to the multitude of agencies and municipalities who assisted in the fire response and particularly to the ATF for their efforts and expertise displayed throughout the investigation,” City Manager Bert Lumbreras said, going on to individually thank Fire Chief Les Stephens and Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner, who had just signed on to the role in May.

Other agencies involved included the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Anyone with any information about the fire is urged to contact Kistner’s office at 512-805-2600.