Update Wednesday: After an investigation, Fire Marshal Buddy Preston determined the cause of the smoke and smoldering in the attic of Allsup’s Tuesday night was related to an electrical problem.

Preston explained that a refrigeration line from the outside of the building running through the attic to the soda fountain line had rubbed on the metal framework of the drop ceiling of the store and began to arc.

“With the investigation going on, the grid holding the ceiling became energized,” said Preston.  “The electrical panel was also energized.”

According to Preston, a local electrician who has worked at the store before was called and not able to isolate the circuit and all of the electricity to the building was shut off at that time. Another electrician from Abilene was called and around 1:00am, the problem was found along with other electrical problems within the building at that time, Preston said.

The electrical problems were corrected and at 3:00am, the store was reopened to customers.

Original story: The Brownwood Fire Department was called to a small attic fire Tuesday night at the Allsup’s convenient store located at 1019 Coggin Avenue.

Smoke was reported in the building around 9:45pm and a small area was visibly burned in the ceiling of the business.

Fire Marshal Buddy Preston was called to the scene and was investigating the incident Tuesday night. Firefighters removed damaged ceiling tiles and insulation, and the damaged area appeared to be minor.

The building was evacuated at the time as a precaution.

Pictured above are Brownwood Firefighters removing a damaged ceiling tile from Allsup’s Tuesday night.