More than 150 Firefighters Respond to Massive Apartment Fire in Southwest Houston
The Houston Fire Department responded to an apartment fire in the 8100 block of Richmond just before 9:30 p.m., last night, August 26, 2011. Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes and found heavy fire flowing up the outside of a two-story, flat roof, wood frame garden style apartment. The fire appeared to have originated from a patio of a first story unit. The fire spread to the siding and up the side of the building into the attic.
Due to the high heat and humidity, one firefighter suffered from possible heat exhaustion and two firefighters suffered from chest pains. All three firefighters where transported to the hospital. There were no other reported injuries.
The American Red Cross and a Metro bus responded to assist the displaced residents with aid and shelter. Approximately 170 firefighters responded to the incident which was tapped out at 12:48 a.m. and turned over to the apartment management at about 4 a.m.
The four-alarm fire caused more than $2 million in damage. Four apartments were heavily damaged by fire and the remaining 24 units in the building were damaged by smoke, water or fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.