Apartment Fire in The Alief Area

WHAT: Apartment Fire

WHEN: May 22, 2022 at 4:18 a.m.

WHERE: 8600 South Course, 77099

INJURIES: No reported injuries.

PROPERTY SAVED: $550,000 in estimated property saved.

DAMAGE: $350,000 in estimated damage.

CAUSE: Accidental (electrical malfunction and overheating of air-conditioning unit).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find heavy smoke coming from a 2-story apartment with a report of people possibly still inside. They made an offensive attack and worked to control the fire that involved the first and second floors of two apartments. The fire extended into the attic and three additional HFD units were requested. Meanwhile, crews conducted a primary search. Before the roof could be ventilated, fire broke through and it self-ventilated. The fire was controlled by 6 a.m. with no reported injuries. Two apartment units suffered major damage with two nearby units having smoke and water damage. HFD Arson investigators investigated the cause and origin of the fire and classified the cause as “accidental,” by an electrical malfunction and overheating of the external A/C unit of a ground floor apartment. Firefighters from Stations 2, 15, 68, 83, 10, 59, 69, 73, 76, 80, 51, 57, Rescue 10 and Rehab 17 responded to this incident.