Fires, some damage near Galveston's Strand

07:22 AM CDT on Saturday, September 24, 2005

Associated Press & 11 News Staff Reports

Click to watch Nancy Holland's 7 a.m. report from Galveston

GALVESTON -- At least three buildings caught fire Friday in this island city's historic Strand District, with at least one engulfed by flames whipped higher by strong winds from Hurricane Rita.

KHOU-TV

A woman was injured in a building fire in Galveston's historic district Friday night.

One building was nearly destroyed in Galveston; two others appeared heavily damaged. A burning electric pole was lying on one of the buildings.

“It was like a war zone, shooting fire across the street,” Fire Chief Michael Varela said early Saturday.

One of the buildings that caught fire in Galveston was built in 1905, five years after the hurricane that destroyed most of this island city and killed at least 6,000 people. The damaged buildings were a bail bonds company, a Victorian-era home, and Eagle Lodge, a former fraternal club that’s now an art gallery.

Varela said one person escaped the fire, but he didn’t know the person’s identity or condition. Officials at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston did not respond to requests for information about the person who escaped.

The Galveston Daily News building also sustained damage when part of its roof collapsed and the building lost power. It's Web site will be temporarily down while the crew transfers to Austin.

A wall of the famed Yaga's restaurant collapsed onto Saengerfest Park in the 2300 block of Strand. No one was hurt. The wall collapse came just as the strongest of winds from the storm came ashore from the bayside of Galveston Island.

The Strand District includes historic buildings, night clubs and shops. It is the site of a massive Mardi Gras celebration and an annual Charles Dickens festival.

Galveston initially had been at the center of forecasters’ fears as Rita churned in the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities worried a high storm surge could overwhelm seawalls and submerge the island city.

11 News crews didn't see any major damage Saturday morning during an early check along the Seawall near 21st street. They planned to continue along the Seawall to check out damage.

“It looks like the Houston and Galveston area has really lucked out,” said Max Mayfield, director of the hurricane center.