2-Alarm Apartment Fire in The Eldridge / West Oaks Area

WHAT: 2-alarm apartment fire with fatalities.

WHEN: June 1, 2022 at 4:05 a.m.

WHERE: 12730 Whittington, 77077

INJURIES: Three civilian fatalities.

PROPERTY SAVED: $240,000 in estimated property saved.

DAMAGE: $880,000 in estimated damage.

CAUSE: Under investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find heavy smoke at the street level with fire coming from the roof of a 3-story apartment building. They made an offensive attack and conducted a primary search for a report of people trapped. One victim was found and removed.

A second alarm was requested as the fire rapidly spread with a partial collapse. Crews switched to a defensive attack and brought the fire under control. Due to the damage, heavy construction apparatus was requested tear down the unstable building.

Two additional victims were found, and the Medical Examiner was notified. HFD Arson investigators are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

The American Red Cross was notified to assist the residents. Firefighters from Stations 78, 83, 75, 86, 57, 69, 76, 68, 28, 30, 2, 37, 33, 23, 49, 10, Rescue 10 and 42, Heavy Rescue 11, and Rehab 8 and 17 responded to this incident.