Fire Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX

Elite Level Fire Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX

Fire damage to your home is one of the most traumatizing, frightening tragedies a person can experience. This is especially true in apartment buildings and multifamily homes, where dozens if not hundreds of families are affected by fire and smoke damage. When a fire rips through an apartment building, the property damage can be catastrophic. But the damage caused by fires doesn't end once the flames have been extinguished. Victims are left wondering what happens next now that their belongings are destroyed. When will they have a roof over their again?

In these circumstances, prompt, purpose-driven fire damage restoration is key to reducing victims' financial and emotional strain.

The National Fire Protection Association states that a structure fire is reported every 65 seconds. When the fire alarm sounds, emergency responders answer the call for help with decisive action. But once the smoke clears, Atlas National Renovations' team of fire restoration experts step in to give hope to property managers, apartment tenants, and commercial property owners.

With decades of combined experience in disaster recovery, ANR understands the complexities associated with commercial and apartment building fires. We have helped the top multifamily groups in Texas recover their tenants' homes and belongings with care and compassion. If you're a property manager and you're still reeling from a fire disaster, know that we're here to help you too.

At Atlas National Renovations, our expert project managers and technicians play key roles in complicated fire restoration projects. We specialize in restoring Class A, B, and C properties like apartment complexes, high-rise buildings, multifamily buildings, mixed-use developments, large commercial properties, and more.

Restoration Services

Elite Level Fire Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX
Fire Damage Restoration for Apartment Buildings in Fort Worth, TX
Our Fire Damage Restoration Process
Tips for Preventing Apartment Fires
Trustworthy Fire Damage Restoration for Businesses in Fort Worth, TX
Discover the Atlas DifferenceDiscover the Top Restoration in Fort Worth, TX

Service Areas

If you're looking for a top-tier fire damage restoration company in Fort Worth, look no further than ANR. We're the top pick when it comes to large, detailed fire restoration projects because we:

Are a Trusted Partner in Restoration and Disaster Recovery
Adhere to OSHA Standards and State & Federal Regulations
Use the Latest Equipment & Remediation Techniques
Offer Innovative Solutions to Detailed Problems

Provide Seasoned Project Managers for Each Fire Restoration Project
Give Clients Clear and Consistent Communication
Work with Insurance Companies
Have a Knowledgeable & Courteous Leadership Team

Fire Damage Restoration for Apartment Buildings in Fort Worth, TX

Owners and managers of apartment complexes know that the safety of their tenants is a major responsibility. Unfortunately, nobody can completely control when apartment fires occur. Fires in apartments and multifamily buildings may start small, but they spread quickly, often destroying several living spaces. These frightening fires destroy prized heirlooms, important documents, and can even be fatal. However, the work is only beginning once the fire is put out and lives are saved.

In the aftermath of a disaster, figuring out the next steps is hard. During this difficult time, it's important to be prepared. As a property manager or owner, having a fire damage restoration company on your checklist of resources is crucial.

Unlike residential fires, apartment and multifamily building fires add several more layers of complexity and stress. In these situations, you deserve a restoration partner that you can trust without question, and that company is Atlas National Renovations.

With years of experience guiding our technicians and project managers, the ANS team responds quickly to your fire damage emergency. Using advanced protocols and state-of-the-art restoration equipment, we get to work quickly to repair and restore your commercial property to its pre-loss condition. While restoring your property, we always keep your tenant's care and comfort in mind.

Our fire restoration services in Fort Worth are comprehensive and include the following:

Rapid Mobilization and Response
Overall Catastrophe Management
Emergency Board-Up Services
Debris Removal and Disposal
Apartment Content Inventory and Cleaning
Soot and Smoke Removal Services

Water Extraction
Deodorization
HVAC Cleaning and Decontamination
Shoring Installment to Secure Buildings
Interior & Exterior Renovations

Our Fire Damage Restoration Process

It's imperative to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side during a fire crisis.

When you call ANS, our fire restoration experts can help walk you through the steps you need to take once a fire occurs. This allows us to quickly gain control of the restoration project on your behalf. Once we have inspected your property, we'll provide a detailed report and scope of work for your fire damage restoration project.

ANS repairs all property damage caused by soot, smoke, and fire. Our IICRC-certified fire restoration teams construct the best plan to quickly get your building back to its pre-loss condition.

Because every property is different, each fire restoration project for apartment buildings is too. However, every fire disaster will have a similar process and will often include:

Contact ANS

Your fire restoration process begins when you call our headquarters. Our specialist will ask you a series of questions about the fire event that occurred. That way, we can arrive on-site with the proper resources and equipment.

Fire Damage Assessment
and Inspection

Our fire damage restoration team will carefully inspect the entirety of your apartment complex, from building to building and room to room. We do so to determine the extent of your apartment's fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a comprehensive restoration plan.

Board-Up Services

First responders like firefighters must break windows and cut holes in roofs to slow fire growth and save lives. Once the fire is out, our team can get to work, boarding up holes and constructing temporary fencing around the property.

Water Removal

If there is water damage associated with your apartment fire, we'll remove most of the water immediately. From there, we use air movers and dehumidifiers to help complete the drying process.

Smoke and Soot Removal

Within minutes of a fire, walls, electronics, and other surfaces are covered in soot. Smoke and ash continue to cause damage to every inch of your apartment building. That's why ANS uses specialized equipment to remediate smoke damage and remove odors. This process is often labor-intensive and can take time, especially for large fire damage restoration needs.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Using a variety of restoration and cleaning techniques, our team will help clean restorable items and sanitize units for safety.

Restoration

Getting your apartment buildings to their pre-fire conditions is our ultimate goal. Depending on the size and scope of the fire restoration job, minor repairs like painting, drywall replacement, and new carpet installation might be needed. You might also need major structural renovations like re-siding, re-roofing, new window installation, floor replacement, and more.

Tips for Preventing Apartment Fires

If you're a property manager or own multifamily residential buildings, the thought of an apartment fire is terrifying. What starts as a small fire can quickly turn into a catastrophic event, with your entire complex up in flames. However, one of the best ways of preventing these fires is to know more about them.

Share these tips with tenants to help prevent deadly apartment fires:

Turn Off Heat Sources

Data shows that a large number of apartment fires begin with cooking. Often, these fires are caused by the ignition of common items like rags, curtains, wallpapers, and bags. Encourage tenants to keep their kitchens and cooking areas clear of combustibles. Never leave a stove unattended for long, and don't leave burners on by themselves. Unintentional mishaps like leaving heat sources on are common causes of fires that can be prevented with a little forethought.

Electrical Safety

Like heat sources, electrical malfunctions are also common causes of fires in apartment complexes. It's hard to prevent all electrical malfunctions, but you can tell tenants to avoid bad habits. Tips include never using extension cords as permanent solutions and never using a cable if the third prong is missing.

Appliance Safety

Appliances are a part of everyone's lives. They're also standard equipment in most apartment units. But if tenants don't take proper precautions, these useful tools can spark deadly fires.

Tips for Preventing Apartment Fires

No matter how large or small, fires are nightmare scenarios for entrepreneurs with commercial properties. Fire damage can completely ruin storefronts and offices, leaving charred remains and burned-up files before firefighters arrive. To make matters worse, soot and smoke damage ruin your businesses' furniture, HVAC system, carpet, walls, and windows.

To eliminate health hazards and restore your business to its pre-fire condition, you need to bring in a team of professionals with years of experience in fire damage remediation. At ANR, we use commercial-grade equipment and cutting-edge tools to clean up the aftermath of your fire and rebuild your property. That way, you can get back to running your business and providing for your family.

Share these tips with tenants to help prevent deadly apartment fires:

Remove Smoke and Fire Damage

One of the most common causes of large commercial loss stems from smoke and fire damage. Of course, these disasters cause injuries and fatalities. But they also generate tremendous amounts of damage, rot, mold, and harm to structures. Not to mention the devastation that fire damage has to the appearance and livability of the facility. Fire damage restoration companies restore - and also prevent - the root cause of the fire. Electrical outlets, wires, and other fire-prone items will all be addressed to prevent a subsequent disaster.

Highly Skilled

The best fire damage restoration professionals are highly-trained, exceptionally skilled, and properly equipped to deal with every aspect of a commercial fire. From handling major renovations to taking care of the lingering effects of smoke damage, pro fire restoration companies take care of it for you. Hiring ANR means you'll be working with technicians who have the knowledge, tools, and materials to get the job done right the first time.

Insurance Claims

Multifamily Home Renovations Fort Worth, TX

When you start the claim process with your businesses' insurance company, they'll ask whether you've hired a fire damage restoration company. That's because companies like Atlas prevent further damage from occurring and calculate an estimate of your total loss. You can submit this estimate to your insurance company, which may then provide you with resources to complete your company's disaster recovery mt-md-1

Discover the
Atlas Difference

Fire damage restoration is a crucial, complex process that professionals must perform. With decades of expertise, unmatched restoration quality, and the scalability for any job, Atlas National Renovations is well-equipped to be your single source for commercial fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, TX. We are specially equipped to make difficult restoration projects easy for owners.

When a fire disaster strikes, you need a timely response from a trustworthy team of experts. Don't settle for a mediocre fire restoration partner. Choose ANR to get the job done right the first time. Contact our office today to learn more about our fire restoration services in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Free Consultation

TCU News: “It feels like we’re back in Fort Worth again”

Former TCU offensive lineman Altrique Barlow commits to Marshall via NCAA Transfer Portal | On3Former TCU offensive lineman Altrique Barlow has announced his commitment to Marshall via the NCAA Transfer Portal....

Former TCU defensive lineman Landyn Watson commits to Marshall transfer | On3Former TCU defensive lineman Landyn Watson has chosen Marshall as his new school via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

TCU DB transfer Kyron Chambers commits to SMU | On3Former Dallas (Tex.) South Oak Cliff standout Kyron Chambers is transferring to SMU, the 6-0, 195-pound defensive back announced.

UConn football adds two transfer pass-catchers | The UConn BlogThe German QB-turned-TE Alex Honig has found a transfer landing spot with the Huskies

LA's Rookie WR Showcases Talent in Rookie Minicamp | FanNationRookie minicamps have opened and QJ is looking to show out right away

Former TCU teammates start NFL careers with Los Angeles Chargers | wfaa.comThe first look at QJ, DD, and Max with the Chargers.

Quentin Johnston's first practice in the NFL felt similar to the ones he had in college at TCU.Derius Davis was lined up next to him at the other wide receiver spot and they caught passes from Max Duggan.But instead of the Horned Frogs' practice field, it was the opening session of the Los Angeles Chargers' rookie minicamp.“It almost feels identical. It feels like we’re back in Fort Worth again,” Johnston of the Friday morning session.

Saints Draft Class Quotes from Rookie Minicamp | FanNationKendre Miller is on the path to the playing field and seems himself as able to do the same things as Alvin Kamara has for the Saints

ON HEALTH: "I feel great. You know, I feel great. But the doctors, they kind of got to tone it down and be like, 'You're not ready for that yet.', but that's just the competitiveness in me."

Luken Baker’s two-homer game | 05/13/2023 | MLB.comFormer Horned Frog slugger Luken Baker has been raking in the Minors lately, including a pair of solo homers for Triple-A Memphis on Saturday

Who left the lights on in Fort Worth’s new City Hall? Take your pick

Those driving past the new City Hall building might notice a curious sight – a sea of lights that remain on, day or night, rain or shine.Tanyan Farley of Athenian Group, who serves as project manager for the new City Hall, is all too familiar with the malfunctions and complexities that have kept the lights on inside the former Pier 1 tower at 100 Energy Wa...

Those driving past the new City Hall building might notice a curious sight – a sea of lights that remain on, day or night, rain or shine.

Tanyan Farley of Athenian Group, who serves as project manager for the new City Hall, is all too familiar with the malfunctions and complexities that have kept the lights on inside the former Pier 1 tower at 100 Energy Way.

He’s been on the receiving end of emails asking about the lights and even whether the city plans to light Christmas trees around the building. Those decisions aren’t up to Farley, but fielding those questions is the nature of running a public project, Farley said.

“We try to be as open and transparent as possible, with the good things and the bad things,” Farley said. “We know there are some frustrations with this building, talking about the lights and some of the mechanical elements that we find along the way. But that’s why you do what you do, right?”

He points to a variety of reasons for the lights remaining on throughout the night. One is simple: Private tenants occupy four floors of the building, and some employees work late. What they do is out of the city’s control because those companies control their own utilities, Farley said.

The building also has a difficult-to-control decorative lighting system that isn’t “super flexible,” but the city does the best it can to use it for special events, such as turning the building purple for TCU’s college football playoff run, Farley said. Other lights on the city-controlled floors are kept on for emergency and life safety purposes.

“Because you’ve had so many tenants in here, there’s multiple lighting control systems, which is pretty difficult to deal with, as you can imagine, for an operator,” he said.

Farley and his team face an ongoing dilemma: They either can’t turn off the lights, or if they can, turning one set of lights off results in turning off more lights in other parts of the building.

The tower’s renovation will include replacement of the lighting controls so that it runs through one system, he added. The first wave of renovations is expected to begin later this year, while wave two will be in the early part of 2024.

The third and final wave of renovations is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024, Farley said. All three portions of renovations will include upgrades to the building’s electrical and lighting control systems, he said.

“Our goal would be to bring each individual flood online one at a time,” he said. “The control system is planned out and designed and done. It’s just a matter of implementing it over those portions.”

The accuracy of those timelines depends on whether – and when – Farley’s team and the city can obtain a necessary permit to build in a federal floodplain. Fort Worth residents have until June 4 to share their thoughts on the city’s permit application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will make a final decision on the new City Hall plans in the coming months.

The public notice can be found here. Comments must be submitted to CESWF-408@usace.army.mil before June 4 and reference the Section 408 Request ID # and project name. The Request ID # is 408-SWF-2022-0004, and the project name is Fort Worth City Hall.

Telephone inquiries and requests for more information should be directed to Jason Story, at (817) 886-1852, or to CESWF-408@usace.army.mil.

Haley Samsel is the environmental reporter for the Fort Worth Report. You can reach them at haley.samsel@fortworthreport.org.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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The 2023 Professional Bull Riders World Finals are In Fort Worth

As the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals in Fort Worth get closer and closer to the final ride, the competition is getting more challenging. Furthermore, the PBR organization has released the names of the top-ranked bulls this year's finalists are going to have to face; they are Dennis the Menace, Domino, Cool Whip, Ridin' Solo, and Bestex Legend.In this year's top five, three of the riders are from Texas. However, the most interesting p...

In this year's top five, three of the riders are from Texas. However, the most interesting part of all this is that of the top 10 finalists coming up during the final week, five are from the USA, and five are from Brazil. They all have their eyes set on the top spot, and the video below shows just how tough the competition is.

The battle for the prestigious title of "2023 PBR World Champion Unleash the Beast" enters its final week May 18 through May 21, 2023, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Amid the heated action, one rider will take ownership of the highly coveted gold buckle, a $1 million dollar grand prize, and the title of "2023 PBR World Champion".

This is promising to be one of the fiercest competitions in rodeo history. As the riders are scoring so close together, I feel as though the winner of this year's championship will win by mere decimals.

At this point in the competition, rankings can change in the blink of an eye, with one ride, or one bull. See if you recognize your favorite rider competing in this year's PBR World Finals. The top 45 qualifiers (via world standings) who are still giving it their all in Fort Worth are:

(Place, Rider, Events, Wins, Top Fives, Points, Total Winnings)1. Kaique Pacheco, 25, 3, 10, 980.00, $226,512.672. Jose Vitor Leme, 16, 3, 10, 906.00, $217,281.673. Dalton Kasel, 22, 4, 8, 792.66, $155,855.674. Cooper Davis, 21, 2, 4, 679.50, $135,426.005. Boudreaux Campbell, 25, 0, 7, 671.66, $106,854.676. Dener Barbosa, 22, 2, 5, 661.83, $124,141.677. Rafael Jose de Brito, 26, 1, 7, 644.00, $126,205.818. Andrew Alvidrez, 26, 2, 5, 615.00, $133,451.679. Eduardo Aparecido, 25, 1, 5, 595.50, $116,441.1410. Daniel Keeping, 24, 2, 3, 434.33, $110,253.3311. João Ricardo Vieira, 21, 0, 4, 433.00, $55,944.3312. Jesse Petri, 28, 1, 4, 403.00, $87,558.1413. Tate Pollmeier, 21, 0, 4, 389.25, $66,152.8114. Ramon de Lima, 16, 1, 2, 374.50, $68,153.3315. Wingson Henrique da Silva, 21, 0, 3, 363.50, $57,518.3316. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 24, 0, 2, 343.25, $50,551.3317. Luciano De Castro, 16, 0, 3, 339.50, $51,314.6718. Colten Fritzlan, 20, 1, 2, 336.66, $58,017.4819. Silvano Alves, 27, 0, 4, 314.00, $46,512.0020. Chase Dougherty, 13, 1, 1, 296.83, $61,126.6721. Braidy Randolph, 18, 0, 2, 295.00, $32,682.6722. Kyler Oliver, 14, 0, 5, 283.00, $47,556.6723. Thiago Salgado, 14, 0, 3, 277.50, $36,385.0024. Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 22, 1, 2, 274.50, $46,903.6725. Mason Taylor, 16, 0, 1, 264.50, $33,348.0026. Derek Kolbaba, 18, 0, 1, 250.00, $23,438.3327. Austin Richardson, 12, 0, 2, 245.00, $25,578.6728. Eli Vastbinder, 23, 1, 2, 233.50, $59,226.0029. Ezekiel Mitchell, 23, 0, 1, 223.00, $26,865.1430. Lucas Divino, 5, 0, 3, 200.50, $27,989.1431. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 24, 0, 1, 194.00, $20,013.0032. Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 14, 0, 1, 189.00, $16,313.3333. Guilherme Valleiras, 8, 1, 2, 187.00, $53,743.6234. Koltin Hevalow, 24, 0, 0, 184.50, $16,696.3335. Brady Oleson, 11, 1, 1, 167.00, $45,380.3336. Sandro Batista, 13, 0, 2, 166.50, $21,514.6737. Jess Lockwood, 4, 0, 2, 159.00, $32,875.6738. Wyatt Rogers, 22, 0, 0, 157.25, $15,245.9539. Casey Roberts, 12, 0, 1, 149.00, $33,136.0040. Marcus Mast, 18, 0, 0, 146.50, $17,245.0041. Brady Turgeon, 7, 0, 2, 136.00, $21,476.0042. Bob Mitchell, 11, 0, 1, 135.00, $15,163.0043. Nick Tetz, 10, 0, 1, 133.00, $12,946.0044. Chase Outlaw, 20, 0, 1, 131.50, $19,955.1445. Flavio Zivieri, 14, 0, 2, 116.66, $23,232.67Source: PBR/PR - Kacie Albert

The video below shows local Texas favorite Dalton Kasel from Muleshoe, Texas, making Sunday night's ride spectacular. The 2023 PBR World Finals "Unleash The Beast" continues with Round 4 kicking off on Thursday, May 18, at 7:45 p.m. Get your tickets early and online at pbr.com/tickets.

These parents want improved reading rates. Fort Worth mayor promises to help

Melany Watson knew something was off with her daughter’s report card.Her third grader had been named to the A-B honor roll — a distinction any parent would be proud of. But Watson had watched her daughter struggle to read at home.Her grades did not reflect her abilities.“I just started crying because I had A-B honor roll certificates for my baby that couldn’t read,” Watson said, as her voice cracked with emotion. “How is my child on the A-B honor roll when she can’t read?”...

Melany Watson knew something was off with her daughter’s report card.

Her third grader had been named to the A-B honor roll — a distinction any parent would be proud of. But Watson had watched her daughter struggle to read at home.

Her grades did not reflect her abilities.

“I just started crying because I had A-B honor roll certificates for my baby that couldn’t read,” Watson said, as her voice cracked with emotion. “How is my child on the A-B honor roll when she can’t read?”

Six in 10 students who live in Fort Worth did not meet grade level on the state reading test in 2022, according to data from parental advocacy group Parent Shield. The education organization recently hosted a forum with Mayor Mattie Parker to discuss how to shift people’s mindsets around reading and education so Fort Worth can do better.

In front of more than two dozen parents, Parker called on them to demand high quality education for their children. Having that expectation is the only way for schools in Fort Worth to do better, she said.

“This is a long game, as y’all know,” Parker said. “You have to keep going even after your kids are out of school because whatever gains we make, they have to keep going.”

Fort Worth ISD trustee Wallace Bridges, who also attended the forum, emphasized that parents need to be engaged with their children’s education. More than that, they need to show up and demand more from their school leaders, like him, he said.

In March, Bridges was heartbroken when administrators presented projections that showed 19% of third graders would meet grade level on the reading portion of this year’s State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. In the fall, estimates showed 25% of third graders would meet grade level.

“We cannot accept this as a norm. But, as a board, they have to see more of you guys coming out, and — I’m just going to be more frank — more people of color coming to that board and demanding that we do better when it comes to our kids.”

Trina Harris homeschools her daughter. As a social worker, she has worked with students in Fort Worth ISD. She has heard from mothers who are concerned about their children’s education.

She asked the mayor how the city, which is not traditionally thought of as a player in education, can support literacy.

Parker pointed to the Fort Worth Public Library as one way. Libraries help children and adults become readers, she said. And that’s a free resource for all Fort Worth residents, she said.

The city also hosts reading competitions during the school year and summer, Parker said. Even the city’s summer camp has an embedded literacy component.

“These efforts are not cliche. They work to get students excited,” the mayor said.

The city also supported the NCAA’s Readers Becomes Leaders contest that saw Fort Worth ISD elementary schools compete to see which campus could read the greatest number of books.

Bridges pointed out that three of the the top five were in the district he represents.

“That wasn’t a coincidence,” Bridges said.

Focusing on students already in the K-12 system is not the only way to boost literacy rates, Parker said. Early childhood education is key because it lays the foundation for all future learning.

The city has invested money into early childhood education through nonprofits. Still, more work is needed, the mayor said.

Rhonda Adams Randle, a former educator, sees the future as dependent on educating today’s children.

“They are essential to the success of Fort Worth as a whole,” Randle said.

She wants the city to focus on ensuring 100% of students are reading on or above grade level.

Fort Worth had an ambitious plan once before.

In 2016, the leaders of Fort Worth ISD and the city announced an ambitious goal: have 100% of third graders reading on grade level by 2025.

Seven years and a pandemic later, 38% of third-grade students in Fort Worth ISD were reading on grade level, according to 2022 STAAR results. In 2017, 34% of third-graders met grade level.

Number of 3rd graders reading on grade level increased 4 percentage points in 5 years

In 2016, leaders of Fort Worth ISD and the city announced they wanted to 100% of third graders to read on grade level by 2025. In 2017, slightly more than three out of 10 third-grade students were reading on grade level. Five years later, nearly four out of 10 are on grade level.

Source: Texas Education Agency • (Jacob Sanchez | Fort Worth Report)

The STAAR test was not administered in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Flourish chart

That endeavor, while valiant, was not realistic for Parker. Any improvements in literacy rates in Fort Worth need to start with attainable goals, she said.

“If I’m honest with you, I, as mayor, am not going to get that done,” Parker said of a 100% literacy goal. “The only way that happens is when your districts are supported, you’ve got great teachers, and we as a community are demanding excellence and know their goals and they’re meeting them year over year.”

Parker emphasized Fort Worth ISD needs more help than ever before. The district is in a rebuilding mode, she said, as Superintendent Angélica Ramsey makes cuts to the district to be leaner and cheaper so it can be more focused on academic excellence.

The mayor told the couple of dozen parents gathered inside the Bradley Center Community Center to be patient as Ramsey reorganizes Fort Worth ISD.

Part of the solution for Parker is high quality charter schools, such as Rocketship Public Schools and the Texas Wesleyan University-operated Leadership Academy Network campuses in Fort Worth ISD.

“But it’s not the silver bullet. You also need high-performing traditional public schools,” Parker said. “This city will not thrive until Fort Worth ISD is back to where it wants to be and where we want it to be.”

Bridges acknowledged charter schools are here to stay.

Most schools in Fort Worth still have their work cut out for them to boost literacy rates.

“We have a long way to go,” Parker said. “The house is on fire. We all have a sense of urgency because those kids who are in the third and fourth grade don’t get to do that again.”

Jacob Sanchez is an enterprise journalist for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

Largest cavern in Texas excavates new tour through hidden wonders underground

Spelunkers now have a new cave to explore at the state’s largest cavern: Natural Bridge Caverns’ newest tour, Hidden Wonders, opened to visitors on Friday, May 12.The new tour allows guests to access an area that was previously accessible only by cavers. Development of this second cavern has been in the works since 2017. It was previously sealed under the Earth’s surface, perfectly preserving the natural environment and i...

Spelunkers now have a new cave to explore at the state’s largest cavern: Natural Bridge Caverns’ newest tour, Hidden Wonders, opened to visitors on Friday, May 12.

The new tour allows guests to access an area that was previously accessible only by cavers. Development of this second cavern has been in the works since 2017. It was previously sealed under the Earth’s surface, perfectly preserving the natural environment and its beautiful, unique formations.

“In developing this area of the cavern system, we have both pursued and established best-case practices for working in this delicate environment,” said Natural Bridge Caverns president Brad Wuest in a statement. “Our goal is to give visitors a stunning view of the cavern like never before, without impacting its beauty.”

The multimillion-dollar expansion into never-before-seen areas of the cave features state-of-the-art lighting and a unique sound and light show. Public passageways have expanded by 1,100 feet with a new stainless steel bridge that crosses the cavern’s deepest area.

Additionally, a new 5,700-square-foot dome chamber, dubbed the Ballroom, has been constructed to serve as an event space. For the light show, a viewing area called the Box Canyon serves as a natural theater.

Wuest explained that certain aspects of developing the cavern had been a challenge, such as the depth of the new touring area. Fortunately, they were able to construct a new exit tunnel "with minimal impact on the cavern."

"We used best-in-class techniques and developed new ones to make it work," he said. "We took the time to do it right. The result speaks for itself.”

To exit the Hidden Wonders tour, visitors take a glorious ride on a pioneering conveyor system ride, the Belt Assisted Transport, to the surface through the newly constructed tunnel.

“We plan to showcase the science behind the beauty of this once hidden cavern on our tour,” said Wuest. “With Hidden Wonders’ many enhancements, we have an opportunity to both educate and entertain.”

More information about the new tour can be found on naturalbridgecaverns.com. The visitor's center at the caverns is located at 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., San Antonio.

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