TEMPLE, TX (June 22, 2026) - UPDATE: Following continued inspections, and the expiration of a previously issued notice to repair critical life safety deficiencies, the City of Temple has ordered the temporary closure of the Temple Mall due to unresolved fire and building code violations.
On May 22, 2026, the Fire Marshal's office issued a 30-day notice that the property commonly known as the Temple Mall would be ordered to vacate if ongoing fire and life safety deficiencies identified through continued inspections and monitoring of the facility were not remedied. Those deficiencies include, but are not limited to:
- An inoperable fire pump: Insufficient water supply would be delivered to suppress an incipient fire, allowing it to grow.
- Multiple impaired or inoperable sprinkler systems: Water may not arrive at the location of the sprinkler head or may not discharge through piping.
- Impaired or inoperable fire alarm panels: A fire would not be detected, and the fire department would not be notified in a timely manner.
- Electrical hazards: Infiltration of water has caused malfunctions in the power supply delivered to the alarm systems, along with several unapproved conditions such as open junction boxes and wire splices.
The City of Temple’s Fire Marshal’s Office and Building Inspections Division have worked extensively with property representatives since the mall was briefly closed for violations in the Fall of 2024 in an attempt to address failing fire and life safety systems and gain compliance with the minimum standards of the Fire Code. During that time, an approved fire watch was ordered while the City anticipated corrective actions were taking place. A fire watch is only meant to function for a short time while repairs are made and is not a replacement for required fire and life safety systems. The Fire Marshal’s Office has continued conducting inspections and monitoring the facility’s fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
Recently, the condition and reliability of several critical life-safety systems has significantly deteriorated, failing significantly, causing increased concern for the safety of continued occupancy and danger to the public.
“The safety of occupants, employees, and visitors must remain the City’s top priority. This decision was not made lightly. Staff has worked extensively with property representatives over an extended period of time in an effort to achieve compliance and avoid operational disruption whenever possible.”
Brynn Myers, Temple City Manager
The temporary closure will remain in effect until the property is able to demonstrate compliance with applicable fire and building code requirements and life safety systems are restored to reliable operation. The closure excludes Dillard’s, which maintains a fire-rated separation wall, independent fire alarm, and fire suppression systems.
The mall will remain open until 7 p.m. on Monday, June 22. Once the mall closes at 7 p.m., the order to vacate is in effect and further entry is prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the Fire Marshal’s office.
City of Temple Issues 30-Day Compliance Notice Related to Fire and Life Safety Deficiencies at Temple Mall
TEMPLE, TX (May 22, 2026) – The City of Temple has issued a 30-day compliance notice to the property owner of Temple Mall following continued fire and life safety deficiencies identified through inspections conducted by the Temple Fire Marshal’s Office. As a courtesy, a copy of the notice was also provided to tenants to keep them informed.
The notice requires the property owner to fully correct all identified deficiencies by June 22, 2026. Deficiencies documented during inspections include an inoperable fire pump, multiple impaired or inoperable sprinkler systems, impaired or inoperable fire alarm panels, impaired or inoperable exit and egress components, electrical hazards, and additional fire code violations.
During the 30-day compliance period, the property owner is required to fully abate all identified deficiencies and maintain an approved fire watch while corrective actions are underway. The City of Temple will continue conducting inspections and monitoring life safety systems throughout the process.
At this time, the mall is permitted to remain open while temporary mitigation measures remain in place and repairs are being completed. However, the Fire Marshal retains the authority to immediately evacuate the premises at any time should conditions present an imminent threat to public health or safety.
The notice currently applies to all occupancies within the mall except Dillard’s, which maintains a fire-rated separation wall and independent fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
Additional enforcement actions following the June 22 deadline will depend on inspection results, repair status, and overall life safety conditions at the property.