A Routine Day Turns Tragic at Exxon Station
Man Critically Injured in Corpus Christi after a massive fire broke out at an Exxon gas station on South Padre Island Drive on the evening of July 29. An ordinary summer day turned dangerous, triggering a swift, coordinated response from local fire and police departments.
Emergency Response Within Minutes
At 5:39 p.m., a distress call alerted the Corpus Christi Police Department to a commercial fire in the 5900 block of South Padre Island Drive, near Airline Road. Within five minutes, Corpus Christi firefighters arrived to find a vehicle and gas pumps engulfed in flames under the awning.
Fire Chief Brandon Wade reported that the first crew on site immediately began treating an injured man found in the parking lot. Simultaneously, other firefighters deployed hose lines to combat the growing blaze.
Fire Escalates, More Units Dispatched
Recognizing the severity of the situation, a battalion chief upgraded the incident from a vehicle and gas pump fire to a full structure fire. This escalation prompted the dispatch of additional fire trucks, EMS units, ladder trucks, and incident command officers.
In total, nine firefighting units responded. Firefighters extinguished the flames by 5:46 p.m.—just two minutes after they began applying water.
Victim Airlifted in Critical Condition
The injured man, believed to be the owner of the vehicle that caught fire, was initially transported to Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area Hospital. Medical personnel later airlifted him to a specialized burn unit in San Antonio due to the severity of his burns. No one else was injured, and the vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
Praise for Swift, Coordinated Action
Chief Wade commended the quick and effective response of both fire and police personnel. “We had a great response to this, which allowed us to manage it very quickly to reduce any other fire spread and keep it from hurting anyone else,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of having multiple units on scene, especially when dealing with fuel fires that require a substantial water supply. “With fuel fires, you may need more water, so by bringing more units, it helps establish a more water supply,” Wade explained.
Fuel Spill Complicates Cleanup
Fire crews stayed on site for an extended period because the blaze caused a fuel spill. Gas tanks can rupture during such incidents, making cleanup and safety precautions more complex.
Investigation Underway
Arson investigators are actively working to determine the cause of the fire. Although the incident appears to be accidental, the specific circumstances are still under review. Chief Wade noted this gas station fire was unusual due to its intensity and timing of occurrence.
“This isn’t something we typically see, but we’re trained and prepared for it,” he stated. “Thankfully, it’s not an everyday occurrence.” The rare fire that left a man critically injured in Corpus Christi has sparked an in-depth investigation into safety protocol compliance.
Business Remained Open During Incident
Interestingly, a Stripes convenience store located at the gas station remained open during the incident. Staff and customers inside the store reported no injuries.
Final Thoughts
This incident underscores the significant dangers that fuel and fire pose, even in familiar places like gas stations. Corpus Christi’s emergency services responded rapidly and swiftly contained a potentially catastrophic situation, preventing further injuries or damage.