WHAT: 2-alarm commercial building fire.
WHEN: March 2, 2024, at 5:59 a.m.
WHERE: Canal St. at Navigation, 77003.
INJURIES: Three firefighters were transported to the hospital in stable condition.
PROPERTY SAVED: Not available.
DAMAGE: Not available.
CAUSE: Under investigation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find a vacant commercial building on fire and made an attack on the fire. The structure had multiple void spaces making it difficult to access all of the areas involved. A primary search was completed, and the structure was ventilated. A partial collapse of the roof and ceiling occurred, and multiple “maydays” were called. A second alarm was requested, and rapid intervention teams were activated. Three firefighters were removed from the structure in stable condition. They were evaluated on scene and transported to the hospital for head, neck, and back pain. Following the collapse, crews switched to a defensive attack. Firefighters rotated through rehab and tapped out the fire within about 2 hours (at approximately 8 a.m.). HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. 101 personnel responded to this incident, including crews from Stations 8, 17, 15, 23, 6, 19, 20, 7, 9, 12, 18, 25, 11, 5, 30, 46, Rescue 42, Heavy Rescue 11 and Rehab 17.