11/16/2019
Today I am grateful for the men and women who came to the aide of our Wurstfest grounds last night and this morning. We celebrated a terrific 10 days of German heritage and are now preparing to begin picking up the pieces and planning for the future. No one was injured or hurt in any way. For that, we are most thankful.
140 firefighters on site worked tirelessly and dozens of neighboring agencies were all part of the work, as well. Our community showed up with food donations for these hardworking men and women, too. How blessed we are to have these people and resources.
All of our Opaโs and their families will come together and rebuild this important part of the Festival. The non profits and civic groups, who are our partners in making New Braunfels a wonderful place to live, will stand up, rebuild, and make sure our commitment to helping our neighbors does not falter New Braunfels has always been a community of loving and caring people. This is not an end, but a new opportunity. Our leaders accepted the challenge, as the sun came up today! Weโre looking ahead โ there are great things yet to come!
Update on Fire at Wurstfest Grounds
On Thursday Nov. 14, at approximately 7:15pm, the New Braunfels Fire Department responded to the Wurstfest grounds in Landa Park for a fire that was contained to a single booth inside the Marktplatz (food court) area. The fire had spread into the roof/attic structure directly overhead but was quickly extinguished.
On todayโs date (11-15-19), at approximately 6am, firefighters were called to the Wurstfest grounds again for what is believed to be a flare-up from the previous fire. Crews arrived to find an active fire with flames coming from the roof of the Marktplatz structure. Additional manpower was called in from surrounding agencies (including Canyon Lake, Seguin, San Marcos, Cibolo, Schertz, and Selma) and they began attacking the fire. After pulling back the metal roof to gain access to the fire, crews began attacking the flames with water and firefighting foam (which is made of soap).
As of this release, the majority of the fire is out with crews continuing to put out hot spots and prevent any additional flare-ups.
Damages to the Marktplatz area are extensive and include smoke, fire, and water damage. It is believed that the Marktplatz structure will be a total loss.
Damages to the Wursthalle are far less extensive and include smoke and some heat damage. The Wursthalle is still considered structurally sound.
There have been no injuries associated with this incident, to include civilians or firefighters.
The Comal River in New Braunfels has been temporarily closed due to run off from the fire. Most of the streets surrounding the Wurstfest grounds have been re-opened, however, the portion of Elizabeth Ave. directly in front of the Wursthalle will remain closed.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is only just beginning and will include City of New Braunfels Fire Marshals, state Fire Marshals, and the ATF due to the extent of the damage and the historic nature of the property.
Below is a statement from Wurstfest regarding this incident:
"The first responders, New Braunfels Fire Department and New Braunfels Police Department and neighboring city fire departments who worked so hard to keep the fire contained to the Marktplatz, the food court area of the Wurstfest groundsโTHANK YOU.
The historic Wursthalle appears to have been spared from most of the fire. Wurstfest is a New Braunfels community celebration; our whole town puts it on. And, Wurstfest and New Braunfels are resilient. We rebuilt after floods. We will rebuild after this. We will be ready to host the 60th Wurstfest on November 6, 2020 during the 175th celebration of founding of New Braunfels.
We are sorry for the losses suffered by the concessionaires and the nonprofit organizations that host booths within the Marktplatz. But, please know we will ALL come back better than ever."
