Denison Main Street Fire 2nd Anniversary Sculpture Unveiled

DENISON, Texas (KXII) – Two years ago, Saturday marked the day of the Denison Main Street fire on Saturday morning, the city unveiled a sculpture to remember what happened.

“So while there was this fear and worry and we just didn’t know, there is also so much comfort in knowing that our community of people that we had built around us was ready to step in there. where we weren’t and to keep that space to ourselves until we can get back, ”said Wendy Acosta.

Wendy Acosta is a small business owner. In 2019, she had a business in the 300 block of West Main Street in downtown Denison.

On October 8, the next day, she received a call from her niece that would change everything later.

“I got a quick phone call from her saying there had been a small fire in the nail salon but the fire department had been called, you know we will have smoke damage but everyone is came out and everyone was considered, so it’s going to be fine, ”Acosta said.

This fire damaged three buildings in the historic district.

“Within hours of this happening there was already movement to fundraise, fundraise for these people who lost their businesses, their homes, their livelihoods, and it’s great to see the dedication is still there today. We’re going to solve this problem, we’re going to make this whole block and it’s going to take time, it’s going to take a little persistence but we’re going to get there, together, ”said Denison Pro Tem Mayor Brian Hander.

One of those moves being a t-shirt design to help raise funds for business owners and residents who lived in the buildings.

“I can’t do much, I can’t put out fires, I can’t rebuild, I’m not a builder, you know, but what we can do is use art as a process. fundraising event and also commemorate and have a sculpture here so everyone can see you know how awesome the Denison community is and how we rose from the ashes, ”said Jenna Zapata, vice president from the Denison Arts Council.

The sculpture was under construction months after the start of the fire.

After being delayed due to Covid and the snowstorm that hit Texoma in February, the unveiling took place on the second anniversary.

Some pieces of the artwork are saved items that were recovered from destroyed buildings.

Denison town leaders want this sculpture to represent the positives that came out of the fire and help bring the community together.

“It’s a perfect example of that because it symbolizes that you really know how to rise from the ashes, so I think it’s a perfect example of that,” Acosta said.

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