Seized funeral home burns before auction

A building formerly housing Jones Funeral Home in the 1200 block of South LaSalle burned Monday, March 2, the night before it was slated to be sold in auction.

Navasota Fire Department (NFD) was dispatched to the fire at approximately 8 p.m. “There was a working structure fire with heavy fire in a room located on the south side of the building with flames penetrating the roof structure,” stated Navasota Fire Chief Jason Katkoski.

College Station Fire Department (CSFD) and South Brazos Fire Department (SBFD) were dispatched to assist. “Crews gained entry knocking down the fire in the south side rooms. After several attempts to gain access to the attic spaces, it was decided for crews to back out and take a defensive approach. Most of the active fire was then knocked down allowing entry back into the building to finish extinguishing and working hot spots,” explained Katkoski.

After leaving and returning to service later that evening, NFD returned to the same location facing heavy fire on the second floor and roof. Katkoski said they discovered a hot spot in one of the many void spaces that appears to be the cause of the second call out. “The fire was extinguished and overhauled using foam,” stated Katkoski.

Katkoski said everyone on scene including CSFD, SBFD, Navasota Police Department, Communication, CHI St. Joseph EMS and Grimes County Sherriff’s Office did a great job and worked tirelessly.

According to Katkoski there were no injuries and a cause hasn’t been determined. Katkoski said NFD, NPD and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively investigating the incident.

Grimes County Central Appraisal lists Lonnie Turner Jr. as the owner of the property, however Turner is delinquent on taxes and owed Grimes County $26,156.77. The funeral home was slated to be auctioned 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, at the Courthouse door of Grimes County.

The Examiner reached out to Turner for comment but was unable to make contact with him before the press deadline.