Comfort Inn Fire In Lufkin, Texas: Likely Cause Revealed

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• Commercial structure fire in Lufkin
• 35 firefighters total
• 3 different agencies responding

With the small number of tall buildings in Lufkin, it has been a while since many of the firefighters in our area have had to respond to a tall structure fire. The Lufkin Fire Department showed up in full force Sunday night around 7:49 PM, along with help from the Nacogdoches Fire Department and the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department.

This was an all-hands-on-deck fire, and even off-duty firefighters were called in. There were 6 engines, a ladder truck, multiple chiefs, and a total of 35 firefighters responding.

Due to their efforts, the fire was listed as under control at 9:24 PM. Lufkin Police assisted with traffic control. Everyone was evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.

Lufkin Fire Marshal Gives Likely Cause Of Blaze At Comfort Inn & Suites

Lufkin, Texas Fire Marshal, Ozzie Jarman, made a determination that a discarded cigarette butt was the likely cause of the fire at the hotel off HWY 59/ I 69. He believes that something on fire was discarded into the mulched flower bed and shrubs in the front corner of the building.

According to a press release from the City of Lufkin, a witness to the fire stated seeing a small fire in the bushes in the area at 7:59 PM Sunday night. Jarman said that fire burned from the ground, and made its way into the building's attic.

The amount of damage sustained by the building due to smoke and water damage should keep anyone from staying at the hotel for the foreseeable future.

This is a great opportunity to remind everyone just how dry it is in Lufkin and all of Deep East Texas. Any sparks can ignite a devastating fire.