Two Homes Destroyed by Early Morning Fire

An early morning fire destroyed two homes in Schulenburg on Monday, Nov. 10.

Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department got the call around 12:27 a.m. reporting a house on fire at 315 Summit St., which is located just east of Schulenburg Liquor Store.

Schulenburg Fire Chief Darren Guentert said he arrived two minutes after the call went out. By that time, a strong north wind fanned the flames. The fire spread to surrounding trees and the house next door at 309 Summit St. before the first fire trucks arrived.

The house at 315 Summit was occupied, and Guentert said everyone got out unharmed. The house at 309 Summit was not occupied, he said. Schulenburg VFD responded with 22 firefighters and six fire trucks. They called for assistance from Weimar VFD, who sent one fire truck and additional personnel.

The strong wind sent embers flying far away from the scene. Some of those embers started a small grass fire south of Hwy. 90 near Schulenburg Tire and Automotive. Schulenburg Liquor Store sustained some minor damage. Both homes, however, burned to the ground. Firefighters left the scene around 4:15 a.m.

Guentert said he did not know how the fire started, and he was unsure whether either of the homes were insured.

Other responding agencies included Schulenburg Police, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County EMS and City of Schulenburg Utilities.