Detectives Determine Cause of Condo Fire

GALVESTON, Texas - Detectives said they've determined the cause of a fire that broke out Wednesday at a Galveston condominium complex and destroyed at least 60 units.

Construction crews were working the hurricane-damaged Maravilla resort complex in the 9500 block of Seawall when it caught fire around 2:19 p.m. Wednesday. Detectives believe the fire was started by sparks produced by a worker welding.

A firefighter assisting at the scene was transported to Medical Center after he began exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion.

No one staying at the Maravilla Condos was reported hurt but the fire spread from a corner of the complex to dozens of the other 164 units. At least 60 units were destroyed and others sustained heavy smoke and water damage.

Galveston firefighters had responded to the scene within minutes and evacuated the building, Galveston spokeswoman Alicia Cahill said.  Off-duty personnel and firefighters from Jamaica Beach, Texas City, La Marque and Santa Fe were called to assist, Cahill said.

The development, on the western side of Galveston right along the Gulf of Mexico, sustained damage during Hurricane Ike last summer and many units still were under reconstruction.

"They were actually wrapping up and people had been able to move back into their condos," Cahill said.

Smoke can be seen for miles.