No employees or firefighters were injured from the fire that destroyed Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Friday, Oct. 22, Bay City Fire Marshal Dan Shook said.
With several area fire departments responding, the fire lasted three and a half hours, beginning at 10:47 a.m., at the funeral home’s location at 2313 Ave. I, Shook added.
Bay City Police Department first received a 911 call from a Taylor Brothers employee who reported flames coming from a back room inside the funeral home.
Police Department dispatchers immediately toned out the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department.
The Fire Marshal’s Office also was summoned to the location to investigate.
“It took firefighters approximately 3 and 1/2 hours to gain full control of the fire,” Shook said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Shook and state officials.
“All employees of the business were able to safely exit the building,” he added.
“It is also important for the public to know that there were no ‘diminished souls’ damaged as a result of the fire.”
The Texas Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and will assist with investigative efforts and resources, Shook pointed out.
“There was a total loss of the building, and an exact dollar amount of loss or damage is not known at this time.
The fire marshal noted that Taylor Brothers Funeral Home indicated “they are still fully functional and will be handling business as usual out of their Palacios location.”
Fire departments assisting at the scene of the fire included Bay City Volunteer Fire Department, Matagorda Volunteer Fire Department, Van Vleck Fire Department, Markham Volunteer Fire Department, Midfield Volunteer Fire Department, and Wild Peach Volunteer Fire Department.
“We are grateful for all the local fire departments including our very own that came together to fight this fire,” Shook said.
