UPDATE 5:55 PM: Fifth Victim Found In Iconic Village Apartment Complex Fire

Officials responded around 4:27 AM to a 911 call on Friday, July 20 to find many residents self-evacuating first and second floor apartments of buildings 500 and 300. As of 6:30 PM last night, the fire had been contained.

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

Update Monday 5:50 PM:

A fifth body has been recovered from the scene of last week’s deadly apartment fire, and recovery efforts will continue until all areas are searched and cleared.

The bodies have been transported to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office for identification. Positive identification could take more than a week. 

So far, no origin or possible cause of the fire has been identified, and officials say the investigation could take months.

At least, 200 residents have been displaced while 5 remain unaccounted for after a fire at the Iconic Village Apartment complex.

Officials responded around 4:27 AM to a 911 call on Friday, July 20 to find many residents self-evacuating first and second floor apartments of buildings 500 and 300. As of 6:30 PM last night, the fire had been contained.

As of Sunday evening, investigators had recovered four deceased victims from building 500. As of this morning, officials said clearing building 300 of all potential victims is there current focus.

The bodies recovered from building 500 have not been identified yet; officials said it’s possible that the bodies are of four of the five unaccounted for residents, but at this time, they cannot say for certain.

Officials said investigators have spoken with the families of the five unaccounted for residents.

The individuals are:
James Miranda
Haley Frizzell
Belinda Moats
David Ortiz
Dru Estes.

While officials have received the leasing information from the property owners, Fire Chief Les Stephen said there is a possibility that the rooms were being subleased by the individuals listed on the lease.

In 1968, the City of San Marcos adopted the Southern Building code, which did not require sprinkler systems. The building is said to have been in its original condition when it was built in 1970.

Currently, investigators do not know where or how the fire started. The investigation could continue for weeks and even months after the scene is cleared.

However, Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner said investigators will not leave the site until they are certain they’ve recovered all potential fatalities. Officials could not say how many there may be.

The investigation is a joint effort between the City of San Marcos and several organizations including the state fire marshal’s office and the ATF response team.

“As the mayor of a city, the most difficult responsibility that I have is to offer the sympathies that I’m expressing today,” Mayor John Thomaides said. “As a community, our hearts are broken. We’ve lost so much; we’ve lost the love, energy, optimism and potential of these young souls. Our sincere condolences go out to the families who lost a loved one and our prayers for the victims who are still fighting for their lives.”

Fire Chief Stephens said he believes all but one of the patients admitted to local hospitals for fire related injuries has been released. There is no further information about the individual still being treated.

A resource center will be open from 10 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 25. Organizations will be on sight to provide information regarding assistance programs to the residents displaced by the fire.

Donations may be made to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team at www.br3t.org, clicking “Donate,” and entering the word “Iconic” in the comments.

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is accepting pets of residents that have been displaced by the fires for temporary safekeeping.

Texas State University has announced several programs and funds available to students who have been affected by the fire. Information has been emailed to all students, faculty and staff and is posted online at http://safety.txstate.edu/emergency-communications.html. Students needing assistance after hours can contact the non-emergency number for University Police at 512.245.2805, and they will be forwarded to a staff member from Student Emergency Services.

It is unknown if some residents will be able to return to their homes at Iconic Village. Chief Stephens said the other buildings will be inspected for fire hazards and livability, and officials will then determine if it is safe to allow residents to return.