WHAT: 2-Alarm Apartment Fire.
WHEN: August 4, 2022 at 4:22 p.m.
WHERE: 1919 South Kirkwood, 77077.
INJURIES: One firefighter evaluated by EMS and treated on scene.
PROPERTY SAVED: $800,000 in estimated property saved.
DAMAGE: $720,000 in estimated damage.
CAUSE: Accidental (carelessly discarded smoking material on an apartment patio).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find fire coming through the roof of a 2-story apartment building. Crews made an offensive attack on the fire which appeared to have started on a first floor patio and traveled to the second floor balcony above it. A primary search was completed with no one found. A second alarm was requested and a firefighters switched to a defensive mode. Once the fire was knocked down, crews completed final extinguishment. One firefighter experienced heat-related fatigue and was treated on scene and went home after the incident.
Two apartment units suffered heavy fire damage, with water damage throughout the entire 12-unit building. The roof was completely destroyed as well with minor exterior damage to an adjacent building. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the residents.
HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause of the fire and ruled it as accidental. Crews from Stations 83, 69, 57, 10, 78, 28, 60, 68, 69, 37 and Rescue 10 responded to this incident.