San Antonio fire investigators estimate the damage from a stubborn fire at a Southside pallet company at $350,000.

The fire at LYC Enterprises, located on Commercial Avenue just north of S. Loop 410, broke out shortly after 7 a.m. Friday.

The owner, Louis Castillo Sr.,  said the business was not open at the time. 

But an employee arriving for work noticed the flames and smoke, and called 911. 

When firefighters arrived, it had already spread throughout a huge pile of wood pallets.

"It was a pallet fire with a lot of fuel so it was a very heavy load," said Battalion Chief Brian Lee, with the San Antonio Fire Department. "We got our aerial apparatus with their master streams on the main body of the fire and knocked it down.”

While they had it knocked down, it wasn’t completely out. Because of all the wood involved, the fire continued to flare up. 

Firefighters expected to remain on the scene most of the day.

Lee said at one point, firefighters had to work to keep the flames from spreading to nearby homes. At least one next door to the business sustained some damage to its siding.

Castillo said the toll on his business was even greater.

"We lost everything on this side,” said Castillo. "Two vehicles, a dump truck, nothing but pallets that have been repaired already, ready to go."

After two other fires at his business, including one in 1989 that caused major damage, Castillo said he’s suspicious.

“To me, it's arson.  There's nothing that could've started on this side," he said.

As of noon, the cause of the fire was still under investigation. The arson squad had to wait to investigate until firefighters were sure the flames had been doused.