Firefighters Admitted to Hospital following a Blaze at the Fresh TWU Health Sciences Facility
The Health Sciences Center at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) faced a setback on August 7, 2025, as a fire broke out during construction. The incident occurred at 9:03 a.m. on Administration Drive [1].
Two firefighters were hospitalized, with one being from Denton and the identity of the second still unknown. Over a dozen firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion on the scene, and two more were transported to a local hospital in stable condition for further treatment [1].
The fire was under control by 11 a.m., and over two dozen emergency vehicles from various Denton County agencies responded. Drones from the Denton Police Department showed the building was over 150 degrees [1].
Preliminary information suggests the fire originated in the mid-decking area of the roof, with the metal framing that supports the roof being the point of origin [1]. It is too soon to say whether the fire will delay the building's opening, scheduled for August 25, 2025, the first day of fall semester classes [1].
The $107 million academic facility is a major collaborative space for the College of Health Sciences and other campus programs [1][2]. The building will house the College of Health Sciences and serve as a collaborative space for many programs across all colleges on campus [1].
Personnel from Lewisville, Aubrey, Flower Mound, Highland Village, and Denton County responded to provide relief from the heat [1]. As of the latest update, TWU officials had not yet determined whether the fire would delay the building’s opening. Facilities staff are set to assess the extent of fire and water damage once firefighters release the building for inspection [1].
The conditions at the scene were described as "extremely laborious and exhaustive." Workers were potentially using blow torches while constructing the roof, which might have led to the fire [1]. Firefighters had nearly all cleared the scene by 1:10 p.m. [1].
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but TWU officials have suggested it may have originated from the use of blow torches during roofing work [1]. The university is actively evaluating the situation but has not announced any changes to the timeline [1].
[1] - Source: Denton Record-Chronicle [2] - Source: Texas Woman's University official statement
The fire that occurred at the Health Sciences Center at Texas Woman’s University on August 7, 2025, potentially originated from the use of blow torches during roofing work, which could be a subject of interest for science and fire safety researchers in health-and-wellness studies. The $107 million academic facility, set to open on August 25, 2025, will serve as a collaborative space for the College of Health Sciences and other campus programs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards in such building projects.
