SAN MARCOS, Texas – Officials in San Marcos said a fifth victim was found during their investigation into Friday's deadly apartment fire.
City officials announced that three bodies were found during recovery efforts on Sunday. The discovery of the fourth body was announced during a press conference on Monday morning and news of the fifth body was announced via a news release Monday evening.
The Fire Chief said 50 ATF agents are now working to help determine the cause and said that there were no sprinklers in the building since it was built in 1970 -- and that it was not required at that time to have them.
The City Manager gave credit to community members who helped to save families, and also credited first responders for risking their lives in extreme conditions to save others.
“It’s inspiring that we have seen our community step up” - City Manager credits community members who have helped families, also credits first responders for risking their lives in extreme conditions to save others pic.twitter.com/QkudNVQJtM
— KSAT Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) July 23, 2018
The Fire Marshall said they still do not know where or how the fire started and that the investigation could take weeks and even months -- and that they will be on the ground investigating until at least Friday at the earliest.
Investigators were unable to carry out search efforts on Saturday due to the instability of the structure. Officials said they were waiting for the walls to collapse before beginning recovery efforts.
The bodies were taken to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy and identification. Officials say identification could take more than a week.
Officials released the names of the unaccounted-for individuals Friday afternoon:
James Miranda
Haley Frizzell
Belinda Moats
David Ortiz
Dru Estes
The fire was reported just before 5 a.m. Friday at the Iconic Village Apartments in the 220 block of Ramsay Street, engulfing one building and moving to a second building. The fire also damaged one building at Vintage Pads Apartments, located at 1000 N. LBJ Drive.
A total of seven people were injured, but six suffered non-life-threatening injuries, city officials said. The individual who suffered critical injuries was taken to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Response Team, a resource available to local agencies dealing with fires of this magnitude, is leading the fire investigation in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the City of San Marcos Fire Marshal, according to a news release.
It's unclear what started the fire.
The president of Texas State University sent a message to the public on Monday:
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As many of you know, there was a fire on Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Iconic Village Apartments and the Vintage Pads Apartments in San Marcos. Five individuals are still unaccounted for, and the City of San Marcos has confirmed this morning at a press conference that four remains have been recovered. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting the autopsy and identification of the remains. The families of the unaccounted individuals have been notified and the City of San Marcos is in regular communication with the families. Until there is confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the identity of the victims, we will not release any information on the victims.
This is obviously heartbreaking news. It is a terrible tragedy.
The entire university community mourns the loss of these lives, and we send our deepest condolences to the families and friends. We also send our wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured by the fire and who are still recovering.
We are deeply appreciative to the City of San Marcos, the federal and state agencies assisting in the investigation into the fire, and to the various community organizations and groups who have offered assistance. It is times like this that remind us of the extraordinary kindness of the San Marcos community.
Approximately 200 individuals have been displaced by the fire and many have lost all of their personal belongings. The university has organized resources and support services to help these students and those impacted by this tragedy. This information has been distributed widely and is available on the university’s Safety and Emergency Communications website at http://safety.txstate.edu/emergency-communications.html. We encourage students experiencing stress or needing emotional support to contact the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208.
People interested in donating to those affected by the fire can donate to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team and write "iconic" in the comment section of the donation.
The city is not accepting material donations.
Those seeking information on their loved ones who may have been affected by the fire should call 512-754-2291.