Fire destroys large home in Woodville

TYLER COUNTY - by Steve Stewart/KJAS - Flames destroyed a large Woodville home Monday evening, and taxed the men and equipment of several Tyler County fire departments.

The blaze was reported at about 8:30 at 703 Charlton Street, just two blocks north of the Courthouse Square.

Woodville firefighters were assisted by the Chester, Colmesneil, Ivanhoe, Shady Grove, Spurger, and Warren Fire Departments, and their combined effort finally brought the flames under control shortly after 10:00.

A water pressure problem temporarily hampered the efforts to fight the fire. Tyler County Judge Jacques Blanchette said that two Woodville fire engines hooked 6" supply lines to two nearby fire hydrants, and the heavy demand quickly dropped the water pressure in the city.

When firefighters were unable to locate any other source of water, tanker trucks from surrounding towns made repeated trips to the nearby Gib Lewis State Prison Unit to fill up with water and haul it back to the scene.

No injuries were reported and no other structures were damaged. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The old home was reportedly being used as a multi-family dwelling.