TEMPLE, Texas – A beloved family destination in Central Texas, Robinson Family Farm, experienced an unforeseen incident just a month after its grand re-opening at a new location. A significant grass fire swept through the farm’s parking lot on Saturday, causing damage to over 70 vehicles and forcing an early closure.
The Robinson Family Farm had recently relocated to 2651 Bob White Road, Temple, Texas, to accommodate its growing popularity and provide more space for visitors. However, a portion of this expanded land is now temporarily inaccessible as authorities investigate the cause of the fire.
Cheyenne Marcus and her family, first-time visitors to the farm, were among those affected. After spending just an hour enjoying the attractions with their two-year-old, they were faced with the distressing discovery of the fire engulfing the parking area.
“I just remember him running back shaking his head saying he couldn’t find it,” recounted Marcus, describing the moment her husband realized their car was caught in the blaze. “It was just a waiting game until the fire went out to see if our car was damaged. It looks like it was kind of in the center of everything.”
Bell County officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. While an eyewitness account suggested a discarded cigarette might be responsible, this remains unconfirmed and part of the ongoing investigation.
Despite the unfortunate event, the Robinson family is proactively addressing the needs of those impacted. They have opened their farm to individuals who lost their vehicles, providing a space to document the damage for insurance purposes and assess the extent of the loss.
Helen Robinson, visibly moved by the situation, emphasized their commitment to the affected families, stating, “It’s not that we’re trying to ignore anybody. We’re not trying to be insensitive to anybody’s feelings at this time, but first and foremost, [those affected] will be our priority.”
Given Robinson Family Farm’s popularity with young families, a significant number of the damaged vehicles contained car seats. This added layer of difficulty has prompted the Robinson family to initiate a car seat donation drive to support those who lost these essential items in the fire.
“Then we lost her car seat as well, which I’m pretty sure is going to be an issue with a lot of people here because a lot of people come out here with their kids,” Marcus highlighted, underscoring the widespread need for car seat replacements.
The Robinson Family Farm is now appealing to the community for car seat donations. Individuals wishing to contribute can reach out via email at [email protected] to coordinate drop-off or collection.
While the investigation continues and the farm assesses the full impact of the fire, the Robinson family’s immediate focus is on supporting their community and helping those directly affected by this unforeseen event at their beloved Robinson Family Farm.
