MASON, Texas — An investigation is underway after a fire tore through the historic Mason County Courthouse in Mason, Texas, Thursday night.
According to Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden, volunteer firefighters were called to a house fire in the area about 10:15 p.m. About 10 minutes later, a dispatcher saw flames shooting from the courthouse.
Firefighters from several departments arrived and battled the blaze at the courthouse throughout the night, Bearden said.
Bearden said the courthouse had been undergoing a restoration project and so all records and files usually located there had been moved to another location.
All of the 111-year-old building’s historic furnishings, including a bell tower and clock tower, were destroyed. Much of the interior is a total loss as well, Bearden said.
The THC is devastated to hear about the fire overnight at the Mason County Courthouse. The 1910 courthouse had recently been approved for restoration. Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire. Our thoughts are with the residents of Mason County & the City of Mason. pic.twitter.com/UcLeSIxCsi
— Texas Historical Commission (@TxHistComm) February 5, 2021
There were no injuries reported. State fire investigators have been contacted to aid in determining what sparked the fire.
At this point there is no evidence that the two fires are connected.
Built from 1909 to 1910 at a cost of $39,786, the courthouse was designed by architect Edward Columbus Hosford. It was constructed of granite and rusticated stone.
The building is part of the Mason Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic place in September 1974.
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