Electrical issue possible cause of fire at Tottie’s in Marble Falls

FROM STAFF REPORTS

MARBLE FALLS — The owners of a tavern sifted through debris Feb. 9 after fire crews doused an early morning blaze believed to have started behind the bar area and suspected to be accidental, Marble Falls Fire Rescue officials say.

The incident was reported about 2:40 a.m. that morning at Tottie’s bar, located in the 800 block of Main Street.

“Crews arrived on scene. They saw fire coming from the interior of the building,” Fire Chief Johnny Caraway said. “The fire was contained to the main bar area, but the whole building sustained heavy smoke and heat damage.”

A nearby resident reported seeing smoke coming from the bar. No one was inside the building at the time.

“They’re normally closed on that day, but they had been there earlier doing some bookkeeping, and they had ate there with some family,” he said. “The fire was on a wall, which goes back to the back patio. They lost the TVs, and the bar area sustained heavy damage.”

Investigators are gathering clues to determine the cause.

“There is still an investigation. We’re still wrapping that up, but right now, all the indicators point towards an electrical cause, an accidental cause,” he said. “It may take several weeks to tie up.”

Horseshoe Bay Fire Department, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department and Granite Shoals Fire Rescue assisted Marble Falls Fire Rescue with the call.

“There was a lot of equipment and furniture in the bar that made it very difficult, but for the most part, it went very well,” Caraway said. “They did save the structure. Crews did a great job of getting that fire put out.”

editor@thepicayune.com