Fire at downtown building ruled suspicious
A small fire in downtown’s Harrell Building is considered suspicious and is under investigation, Texarkana, Texas, Fire Chief Eric Schlotter said Wednesday morning on the scene.
Texas-side and Arkansas-side firefighters responded to a call shortly after 8 a.m. at the building, 317 N. State Line Ave., and extinguished a small fire burning on the wooden floor of the building’s first story.
Smoke drifted out of the building, aka the Medical Arts Building and the Rialto Building, as firefighters cut a hole in the floor where the fire had been and descended to ensure nothing remained burning.
The fire was under control and firefighters had begun to repack hoses and other gear by 8:30 a.m.
Built in 1902 by Benjamin Foreman and George W. Fouke, the Rialto was one of the city’s first solid brick buildings and one of the first to have electricity, according to local historian Beverly Rowe in her book “Twice Upon A Time, In Texarkana.” In 1934, a stucco finish was added to the exterior.
Originally an apartment building, the Rialto by 1931 housed various business offices and the medical clinics it was known for by mid-century, when it was renamed the Medical Arts Building. It was renamed the Harrell Building in 1985 or 1986 and still housed its final tenant, an architect’s office, as late as 2003.
In 2017, developers renovating the Hotel Grim next door said they planned to revive the Harrell Building, as well, but later shelved the plan.
Restoration advocates Main Street Texarkana last year chose the building for its series of Christmas tree ornaments depicting downtown landmarks.