Gatesville Messenger building lost in downtown fire

The city of Gatesville was drastically changed after a massive fire broke out in the downtown area, taking out nearly an entire city block and multiple historic businesses. The fire was originally reported to Gatesville authorities about 6:50 p.m. Monday, March 16, on the southwest corner of the courthouse square, located at the 100 block of South Sixth Street near the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office. The fire burned late into the morning of Tuesday, March 17, with reports of the building still smoldering as late as March 24.

By ALLY HINKLE, ally@gatesvillemessenger.com

It was determined the fire originated within The Gatesville Messenger building, but initial reports were made stating smoke was visible from the second story of the Freedom Bail Bonds building. It is currently unknown how the fire started, although an investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal’s Office ruled out the possibility that the fire was intentionally set.

The following agencies and individuals aided in combating the fire and supporting those who were working to extinguish the fire, according to City Manager Brad Hunt: Copperas Cove FD, Coryell City VFD, Coryell County Commissioners Basham and Matthews, Coryell County Judge Roger Miller, Coryell County Road & Bridge, Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, Evant VFD, Flat VFD, Gatesville Fire Department, Gatesville Police Department, Gatesville City Manager’s Office & City Hall, Gatesville ISD Police, Gatesville Public Works Department, Grove VFD, Jonesboro VFD, Levita VFD, McLennan County Sheriff’s Office & Constables Office, Oglesby VFD, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Transportation Gatesville Office, and Turnersville VFD.

The main structure affected is thought to have been built sometime in the early 1900s, serving as a staple of the Downtown Gatesville District. Due to the fire the east wall of Leaird’s Furniture, located along Main Street, and most of The Gatesville Messenger building collapsed.

The following four businesses were impacted by the fire: Leaird’s Furniture, The Gatesville Messenger, Freedom Bail Bonds and Davidson Chiropractic.

Leaird’s Furniture and The Gatesville Messenger have been staples within the community for about a century. The Gatesville Messenger initially began reporting in 1887, with the business losing newspapers archived from the 1930s in the fire.  Leaird’s Furniture was founded in 1898 and at the time of the fire was owned by Clay McClellan, the great-grandson of business founder Byron Leaird, and his wife, Carolyn.

No major injuries were reported during the fire, although Hunt did state three firefighters suffered minor injuries related to smoke inhalation.

From The Gatesville Messenger, March 28