Photo via Dallas County Fire Rescue — Facebook
Dallas Fire-Rescue was dispatched to yet another structure fire at the former mall located at 13331 Preston Road, on Friday, April 7 at 11:10 p.m.
The incident was originally reported by Dallas Police Officers in the are who noticed a fire coming for the remains of the building, Dallas Fire-Rescue Public Information Officer Jason Evans said. They reported heavy smoke and fire were coming from inside the structure.
Suppression efforts began immediately including the dispatching of additional engine companies and the use of ground and aerial water streams, to access the interior flames as well as multiple spot fires on the roof. Efforts continued in the morning and the fire was officially declared extinguished at 1:56 a.m.
The location was monitored by overhaul companies until 3:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Dallas Police Officers detained several juveniles, seen leaving the site, in a nearby parking lot. According to interviews conducted by Fire Investigators, it was determined that they arrived after the fire had already begun and were not to blame for the incident. The cause of the fire is currently listed as undetermined.
This makes the third fire at the former shopping center this year; one in Feb. and one in March leaving two firefighters injured. Both fires are undetermined and still being investigated by Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Last month property owners began the final demolition at the site formerly known as Valley View Mall. The first demolition began in 2017. This site has been vacant for over a decade.
The final demolition of Valley View Mall is expected to be completed by June 1, 2023.
