WHAT: 2-Alarm high-rise hotel fire (basement).
WHEN: August 22, 2023, at 10:21 a.m.
WHERE: 1600 Lamar St. 77003.
INJURIES: No reported injuries.
PROPERTY SAVED: Not available, contained to basement area.
DAMAGE: Not available, contained to basement area.
CAUSE: HFD Arson investigators ruled the cause as accidental due to an unspecified mechanical malfunction in a commercial dryer filled with cotton towels.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find smoke coming from a high-rise hotel. A second alarm was requested, and crews entered the structure through the loading dock to a reported fire in the laundry area. The firefighters extinguished a smoldering fire in a commercial dryer and assisted with smoke removal and ventilating the basement. HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin. 78 personnel were dispatched to this incident, including crews from Stations 8, 17, 15, 6, 19, 46, 9, 18, 11, 20, 17, 24, 30, 33, Heavy Rescue 11, Rescue 42 and Rehab 8.