Work continues after fire at historic structure

TYLER — The followup continues after a Saturday evening fire caused what officials term “significant damage” at a historic structure at Broadway and Houston in Tyler. Our news partner KETK went inside the Ramey House and saw just how extensive the damage was. Jacob Law is co-owner of Stonewater Roofing, the business operating out of the Ramey House. He says, “Tyler Fire Department was able to minimize damage past the third floor with regards to fire. But with tens of thousands of gallons of water going through the building, there’s a big mess in there we’ve got to get started cleaning up, and being a historic building, it’s going to take some challenges.”

Historic Tyler Executive Director Ashley Washmon talked about the house’s significance. She said, “In 1981 it received the first Historic Tyler preservation award, and so not only is it significant because it meets those three criteria; it has three historic designations on a local level, a Texas historic landmark, and [designation on] the National Register of Historic Places.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials say there were no obvious signs of intentionality behind it.