Old Luling Buc-ee's travel center catches fire during demolition

Fire crews on the scene are still investigating what caused a blaze in the old Buc-ee’s travel center at the corner of I-10 and US 183 on Monday, July 1.

Demolition crews using excavators were tearing the building down at about 10 a.m. when the fire started, according to Luling Deputy Fire Chief Keith Lohse, who was the incident commander on scene.

“They were in the process of demolition and using the excavators when something started the fire,” Lohse said. “There was no power or gas hooked up to the building. All utilities were off at the time. We don’t know what happened, but it appears they may have something and it ignited.”

Lohse confirmed there were no injuries, either civilian or among the fire crews that responded at the scene. As of 1:15 p.m. Monday, the fire had been completely contained and all departments except Luling had been cleared from the scene.

“We have no more hoses on the ground at this time,” Lohse said. “The demolition crew is monitoring the area to make sure it is safe before they continue any more demolition.”

The fire did not ever threaten the new 75,00-square-foot Buc-ee’s superstore which opened last month to great fanfare — including a ribbon cutting featuring Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. That store is now the world’s largest travel center, bringing the title back to the Lone Star State.

The old Buc-ee’s store which burned was the brand’s first travel center built in 2003.