WHAT: 2-Alarm commercial building fire.
WHEN: November 27, 2023, at 10:20 a.m.
WHERE: 12601 Bellaire Blvd. 77072.
INJURIES: No reported injuries.
PROPERTY SAVED: Not available.
DAMAGE: $2,500,000 in estimated damage.
CAUSE: Under investigation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within seven minutes to find heavy smoke coming from a large vacant commercial building. They made an offensive attack and requested additional units. While crews were controlling the fire from the exterior, a wall collapsed. They switched to a defensive attack and a second-alarm was requested with Rehab for the responding firefighters. The Houston Police Department provided traffic control. Decontamination was set up for the responders and HFD Hazardous Materials Teams monitored the air quality and run off with no hazards detected. The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality also responded.
Once the fire was controlled and extinguished, a search was conducted in the building where deemed safe. The building sustained major damage, with a wall and roof collapse. The walls were secured, and caution tape was placed. The property management was on scene and made plans to secure the building for the previously planned demolition. They advised security would be present until the demolition to prevent anyone from using the structure as refuge. HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin. More than 100 personnel responded to this incident, including crews from Stations 10, 69, 2, 28, 68, 78, 83, 48, 57, 60, 73, 75, 80, 8, 37, 24, 33, Rescue 10, Rehab 17 and Hazmat.