Fort Worth Liquor Store Owner Charged After Fire Deaths

FORT WORTH (AP) - A North Texas liquor store owner has been charged with selling alcohol to a teenager who died later that night with five friends in a fire.

Hood County Fire Marshal Brian Fine says the teens and others fell asleep after drinking at a March birthday party.

Fine says alcohol consumption may have been a factor in preventing them from escaping the accidental fire in the mobile home in Granbury, south of Fort Worth. The six victims were ages 16 to 30.

Authorities said Tuesday the owner of USA Liquor, located in the 9000 block of Camp Bowie West, has been charged with two counts of selling alcoholic beverages to a minor. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission also wants to revoke the liquor license of USA Liquor.

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