3-Alarm Automotive Repair Shop Fire in The Gulfton Area

WHAT: 3-alarm automotive repair shop fire.

WHEN: December 20, 2022 at 3:50 a.m.

WHERE: 6511 Mapleridge St. 77081.

INJURIES: No reported injuries.

PROPERTY SAVED: Not available.

DAMAGE: Not available.

CAUSE: Under investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find smoke coming from a large commercial building (a high-end automotive repair shop). There were approximately 60 cars and four 50-gallon drums of oil inside the building which was deteriorating rapidly.

Due to the heavy fire load, crews made a defensive attack, and a third alarm was requested. Additional manpower and companies were called to relieve the fire ground companies on scene. The apartment/duplex building next door was evacuated as a precaution.

The automotive repair shop building was continuously monitored for structural integrity. The fire was controlled and tapped out just before 9:30 a.m. this morning with several HFD units still on scene. HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin.

Firefighters from Stations 28, 51, 82, 2, 15, 23, 8, 21, 59, 68, 83, 3, 10, 11, 13, 33, 37, 38, 48, 51, 60, 16, 69, 24, 30, 57, Rescue 10 and Rehab 17 responded to this incident.