HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — One of the owners of a beloved Harker Heights roller skating rink spoke to 6 News on Friday regarding the fire that destroyed their facility on July 4.
"The family is just numb over this," said Shirley Morken, owner of Texas Skateland. "We put our heart and soul into this for 44 years. We have to pick up and start over again."
Shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Harker Heights Fire Department (HHFD) got a call about a fire that broke out at the skating rink, located at 205 Cox Dr. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming out of the front entrance.
"It's always disheartening when you see a loss like this," Shannon Stephens, Harker Heights Fire Chief, told 6 News.
HHFD said because of fire and heat conditions inside the building, firefighters were forced to put out the flames from outside. Crews were able to put the fire out and prevent it from being spread to neighboring properties and homes.
Authorities did not say what caused the fire.
Inside the heat of it all was Steven Morken, Shirley's son.
"I saw the fire at the front of the snack bar area, grabbed some fire extinguishers trying to put it out as best I could," Steven said. "I grabbed one and ran out, got another one started squirting it and it already went to the roof and then it spread down the whole side of the building and somebody's pulling on my door telling me to get out."
He lived inside the building.
"To see it as a total loss is devastating," he said. "I've been here my whole life."
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Shirley Morken and her husband, Donald Morken, purchased the property in 1981 and have been running the skating rink ever since.
While the building may be in ruins, no one will ever forget the long-lasting memories they've made at this rink.
"I was the first generation of my family to come in here," Brian Pagel said. "I brought my kids here. Now my kids are bringing their kids here."
That's why it's the Morken family's mission to keep serving future generations to come.
"Hopefully plan on rebuilding it, keeping it within the family, the community," she said. "We've seen generations of children come through and we're just so sorry this had to happen. It has affected so many people."
She said her family is appreciative of the community.
"We've had so many comments and emails from everyone in the community... stop by to see if we are all ok," she said.
According to Texas Skateland's Facebook page, they were closed to observe July 4. They later posted a GoFundMe page that was created by a former employee, Shirley Morken said. You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
Stay with 6 News as this story develops.
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