Fire Damages, Destroys Buildings at Famous Texas Wurstfest Venue

Fire destroyed one building and damaged another last week on the grounds for an annual festival celebrating German culture in the Texas city of New Braunfels.

While fire officials work to determine the cause, Wurstfest organizers say they’ll rebuild in time for next year’s festival. The festival, which celebrates German culture with beer, sausages and music, marks its 60th anniversary next year.

This year’s festival in the city northeast of San Antonio ended Nov. 10.

New Braunfels fire officials say they responded Thursday evening to a fire in the food court, called the Marktplatz. Officials said that fire was quickly extinguished but firefighters were again called Friday morning for what was believed to be a flare-up.

Fire officials say the Marktplatz was destroyed while the adjacent Wursthalle was damaged.